2. Responses aimed at producers and distributors

Summary of presentations and discussions on "responses aimed at producers and distributors" of disinformation from the June 2021 GFMD IMPACT donor-practitioner-academic meeting on disinformation.

SUPPORT TO JOURNALISM

There was general agreement that media development responses should focus on building resilience in societies by fostering a wider understanding of the nature of disinformation, what it is, and how it is spread.

Prioritising support to journalism

Research presented by Media Matters for Democracy -- "Disorder in the newsroom - The media’s perceptions and response to the infodemic" -- highlighted the need to focus on newsroom policies and standards reinforced calls for better media and information literacy in newsrooms:

Addressing polarization within journalism

Example: Digital publishers and bloggers

One example of this was given from Kenya where digital publishers and bloggers that focus on disinformation are gaining prominence but it is unclear whether or not they are helping increase resilience, as freelance publishers/bloggers, mainstream media organizations do not consider them legitimate journalists.

Bloggers focused on disinformation have responded to this by establishing a code of conduct and engaging with Kenya’s Media Council to gain official recognition as an association.

This example and the wider issue of non-traditional actors raised the following questions:

Research and monitoring: Should the performance of these bloggers and digital publishers in Kenya and other countries be assessed?

Programme design: Should media development actors more actively consider how to recognise and support ethical producers of information online who operate outside of traditional/professional structures?

Learning from others: What can be learnt from those who have supported similar initiatives such as Lithuania's 'elves' and tried to replicate this volunteer model in Eastern European and Baltic states?

Funding modalities: separating journalism from strategic communications and campaigning

Nicolas Boissez’s presentation of the main findings from Fondation Hirondelle's (May 2021) policy paper, "Sticking to the Facts, Building Trust: our Cure for Disinformation" gave a number of recommendations:

Jaime Abello Banfi presents the highlights from Fundación Gabo's (May 2021) digital book: “Journalism in the face of misinformation”.

COVID-19 SPECIFIC RESPONSES

Sonia Whitehead presented an analysis of BBC Media Action’s work responding to disinformation around COVID-19 based on:

  • Research on Covid-19 misinformation in 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe

  • Learning from a number of different interventions with media organizations to support journalism and with partners to develop content to address rumours, change attitudes, and build digital skills

You can download a PPT outlining some of the findings here.

Here are some of the highlights:

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COUNTER-DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS (constructing counter-narratives)

Adopting tactics and tools from disinformers?

Some of the more controversial areas identified for further discussion and research included whether and to what extent journalism and media support programmes countering disinformation should use some of the tactics or tools used by disinformation producers around using personal/audience data and targeted campaigns via social media.

"To go to disinformers and point out what they're doing and hit them with their messaging, or even some naming and shaming has been suggested or calling them out.” (MediaDev practitioner)

It's almost like conflict resolution work, bringing all the different sides together because it really is a conflict at the end of the day, all this polarisation and difference of opinion. (Academic)

  • Through some surveys, it was also noticed that people in some African countries, such as Libya, had a high knowledge of Covid-19 mis/disinformation because the false information connected with deep-seated norms or ingrained attitudes; this was seen as important towards creating content to counter Covid-related disinformation.

FUTURE DISCUSSIONS

The following responses were not discussed at length during the meeting but will be addressed in future GFMD IMPACT meetings.

Legislative, pre-legislative and regulatory responses

Legislative, pre-legislative and policy responses originate from government actors (e.g. legislative, executive, judiciary, civil service) and encompass regulatory intervention to tackle disinformation. Limited to legislation and policy strictly related to disinformation, unless a legislative/policy measure has been (expanded) in use to also tackle disinformation. (Source: Bontcheva)

Election-specific responses

Designed specifically to detect, track, and counter disinformation spread during elections; a multi-dimensional approach - may involve a combination of monitoring and fact-checking, legal, curatorial, technical, and other responses. (Source: Bontcheva)

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