Phil Howard’s Post

NEW ESSAY: In It’s the Algorithm: A Large-Scale Comparative Field Study of Misinformation Interventions, Jonathan Mayer & Benjamin Kaiser analyze how different governance decisions made by digital platforms affect the reach of #misinformation. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eF7zMSCA

Whither the health of online content with this week’s launch of the “UN global principles on information integrity”? Will these help? The principles are a prescription for an ailing patient. Unfortunately, they’re not much more than a wish-list. In remarks during the launch of the principles, the UN secretary general António Guterres appealed to big tech to “acknowledge the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities. … You have the power to change business models that profit from disinformation and hate.” How likely is that? At the launch event, UN undersecretary Melissa Fleming inadvertently confirmed the futility of appeals to the corporate players. Referring to a “continuing battle”, she said: “The United Nations is downranked on Meta platforms. That means our content has a much lower starting point than any individual. We've asked Meta over and over again to undo this, to design, to tweak the design in their algorithm so that UN content is, doesn't have to struggle to be seen in people's feeds.”   Perhaps that’s not even surprising when the principles themselves have nothing to say about “information as a public good” as an essential part of “information integrity”. The principles talk vaguely about informing “coalitions for information integrity”, and the only real pressure they envisage is calling on advertisers to lean on the companies. Outside the principles, at least SG Guterres did affirm in his oral remarks that “Governments have the capacity to regulate.” To which he added: “those regulations must be organized in a way that human rights are respected, that freedom of expression is respected, that freedom of media is respected, that journalists are protected, and at the same time, that those platforms that have the capacity to spread information put the integrity of the information first - and not a business model that makes more money when hate speech or misinformation is spread.” Very sad that the UN principles don’t include these exact sentiments. They don’t even do the minimum courtesy of signalling that UNESCO’s practical guidelines for regulating platforms. Overall, we have a prescription likely to be shelved.

🔍 Navigating Truth in the Digital Era: Combating Fake News and Misinformation in Internet Publishing 🔍 How is the internet publishing industry addressing the issue of fake news and misinformation? In today's digital landscape, the internet publishing industry is at the forefront of shaping public discourse. Yet, it's not all smooth sailing. The rise of fake news and misinformation has posed significant challenges to the credibility and responsibility of information sharing. As we navigate this complex terrain, the industry is taking noteworthy steps to address the issue head-on: 🔎 Fact-Checking Vigilance: Publishers are embracing fact-checking as a core practice. Rigorous verification ensures that only accurate and reliable information reaches our screens. 🔄 Algorithmic Precision: Social media platforms are employing advanced algorithms to detect and minimize the spread of false content. It's a tech-savvy response to a tech-driven problem. 🤝 Collaborative Endeavors: Industry players are uniting with fact-checking organizations and academia. By joining forces, we're collectively dismantling the roots of misinformation. 🧠 Empowering Digital Literacy: Educating users about discerning credible sources from dubious ones is essential. Initiatives aimed at enhancing digital literacy empower users to make informed choices. However, the path to truth isn't without its challenges: 📣 Balancing Act: Upholding freedom of expression while curbing misinformation requires a delicate balance. The industry must ensure that legitimate opinions aren't inadvertently stifled. 🚫 Algorithmic Bias: Navigating algorithms to prevent bias and suppress misinformation without compromising genuine content remains a tightrope walk. 🌎 Global Complexity: Misinformation transcends borders. Adapting solutions across diverse cultures and regulatory landscapes is no small feat. The journey ahead involves embracing technological innovation, fostering digital literacy, and collaborating across sectors. Let's remember: as consumers of information, our diligence matters. By staying critical and engaged, we contribute to a more informed and resilient digital world. Read more in my recent article #InternetPublishing #FakeNews #DigitalLiteracy #MediaEthics #StayInformed

Open data can be a powerful resource for journalists, saving time and expense in dislodging information by #FOIA request -- but only if government agencies prioritize civically valuable datasets, and make the data verifiable. That's the takeaway from our new Brechner Center research paper for UCLA's Journal of Law & Technology. https://lnkd.in/eqQM9fUu

This article gives some tips and information about countering disinformation and the key is critical thinking. A "new study suggests, nudges and incentives to get us to slow our thinking, think more critically, and be less tribal could be an important part of the solution." https://lnkd.in/eUgXCxyv NPR #disinformation #truth #news #reliable #trustworthy #news #criticalthinking

The Digital Services Act: Public consultation transparency database for content moderation decisions is launched by the Commission The DSA sets out in Article 24(5) that, for reasons of removal of information and other decisions on content moderation, a database shall be established and maintained by the Commission with respect to statements from online platforms. Platforms will be asked to submit their reports immediately after a decision has been taken, in order to allow for almost real-time updates once the database is set up. This content will be made public in order to shed light on the fight against illegal content online. The purpose of the public consultation is to gather information on the implementation of this obligation. This contains the information that is going to be collected, and procedure for submitting statements and accessing the database. A list of questions and software code is included in the consultation, which will be used to develop a draft version of this database. For more information: https://lnkd.in/dE-kMnKY #SRPLegal #SRPGundem #MetaSight #SRPAgenda #Bulletin #Technology #Data

UN News(news.un.org) reported 'Algorithms should not control what people see, UN chief says, launching Global Principles for Information Integrity' - The United Nations launched new Global Principles for Information Integrity on Monday, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the harms caused by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. Jun. 25, 2024 UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined key recommendations aimed at making information spaces safer while at the same time upholding human rights such as freedom of speech. “At a time when billions of people are exposed to false narratives, distortions and lies, these principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion,” he said. The Secretary-General urged governments, tech companies, advertisers and the public relations (PR) industry to take responsibility for the spread and monetization of content that results in harm. Harming our world He emphasized that combating misinformation and hate speech is critical to safeguarding democracy, human rights, public health, and climate action. “The spread of hatred and lies online is causing grave harm to our world,” he said, addressing the media at UN Headquarters, in New York. The UN’s own humanitarian and peacekeeping operations are at risk, as its personnel deal with a “tsunami of falsehoods” and “absurd conspiracy theories”, the UN chief added. False narratives and lies breed cynicism and undermine social cohesion and sustainable development. Opaque algorithms He asserted that everyone should freely express themselves without fear of attack and be able to access a wide range of views and information. “No one should be at the mercy of an algorithm they don’t control, which was not designed to safeguard their interests, and which tracks their behaviour to collect personal data and keep them hooked,” he said. The Global Principles aim to empower people to demand their rights, help protect children, ensure honest and trustworthy information for young people, and enable public interest-based media to convey reliable and accurate information, Mr. Guterres added. Trust and resilience, for the public good The Principles evolved through wide-ranging consultations with UN Member States, the private sector, youth leaders, media, academia and civil society.  They focus on building trust and resilience, ensuring an independent and pluralistic media, creating healthy incentives based on factual information, enhancing transparency and research, and empowering the public. Key recommendations include urging governments, tech companies, advertisers, and media to avoid using or amplifying disinformation and hate speech. At the same time, governments should ensure timely access to information, support an independent media landscape, and protect journalists and civil society... https://lnkd.in/g9iRbagF Cited from ZDNet

From "A Declaration for the Future of the Internet" from 2022. https://lnkd.in/dmWWKcfr As relevant as ever, almost two years in. This also reminds me of the importance of journalism and a well-informed society, especially now that the crisis in journalism is starting to be more prominent in the news in the US after being a worrying issue in other countries (and in local newspapers in the US). ➡ Reclaiming the Promise of the Internet The immense promise that accompanied the development of the Internet stemmed from its design: it is an open “network of networks”, a single interconnected communications system for all of humanity. The stable and secure operation of the Internet’s unique identifier systems have, from the beginning, been governed by a multistakeholder approach to avoid Internet fragmentation, which continues to be an essential part of our vision. For business, entrepreneurs, and the innovation ecosystem as a whole, interconnection promises better access to customers and fairer competition; for artists and creators, new audiences; for everyone, unfettered access to knowledge. With the creation of the Internet came a swell in innovation, vibrant communication, increased cross-border data flows, and market growth—as well as the invention of new digital products and services that now permeate every aspect of our daily lives. 🚨 Over the last two decades, however, we have witnessed serious challenges to this vision emerge. Access to the open Internet is limited by some authoritarian governments and online platforms and digital tools are increasingly used to repress freedom of expression and deny other human rights and fundamental freedoms. State-sponsored or condoned malicious behavior is on the rise, including the spread of disinformation and cybercrimes such as ransomware, affecting the security and the resilience of critical infrastructure while holding at risk vital public and private assets. At the same time, countries have erected firewalls and taken other technical measures, such as Internet shutdowns, to restrict access to journalism, information, and services, in ways that are contrary to international human rights commitments and obligations. "

It is Global Media and Information Literacy Week. With the internet at our fingertips, seems we can get any information we want at any time. However, what if the internet was divided? Learn about the splinternet and what it means for spreading information. Eye on Tech https://lnkd.in/gf9fRPDZ

Tips And Guide: Unleashing The Power Of Internet Info Media - https://lnkd.in/gAsHwrhN