Disinformation – Disinformation: Destroying Democracies

WAR: Russia against democracy

PART ONE OF TWO PARTS Democracy doesn’t work in the 21st century. That’s the overriding message which the world’s two most powerful dictators, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, are blasting out at a still largely unsuspecting world. But it’s not merely a theme, it’s a practice. Utilizing divisive disinformation campaigns, merged with coercion, economic power,Continue reading “WAR: Russia against democracy”

China vs. the Truth, Part II

Media Warfare & the Coronavirus There will be much cause for happiness next month when China ushers in the Year of the Ox at its Spring Festival/New Year celebration. China reported a record trade surplus of US $75 billion in November, fueled by a 21 percent surge in exports compared with the same period lastContinue reading “China vs. the Truth, Part II”

CHINA vs. THE TRUTH

PART ONE: A brief analysis of the People’s Republic of China’s Three Warfares, and how it conducts disinformation (DI) campaigns and media warfare Lost amid endless speculation in social media about the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) is a simple reality: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which runs the government of the People’s Republic ofContinue reading “CHINA vs. THE TRUTH”

Staying safe, ensuring journalists cover the facts

Protecting ourselves while working at home, and resources for journalists covering the Coronavirus pandemic

CHINA vs. THE TRUTH

Unwitting actors, fake screenshots and more

In its October 2019 report, the Analytic Exchange Project (AEP) calls us – Jane Average and Joe Average Americans – possible unwitting actors in Disinformation (DI) campaigns. With specificity, AEP is describing people who see something on social media and then pass it along on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other accounts. They don’t examineContinue reading “Unwitting actors, fake screenshots and more”

BRIEFS (Jan. 27, 2020)

BRIEF NOTES A poll last week provided some insight into public opinion about disinformation. The results of one question are highlighted in my “Fact of the Week” visual. Also, according to the survey, 35 percent of the public identifies “Misleading information” as the biggest threat to keeping our elections safe and accurate. Telling excerpt: “AlthoughContinue reading “BRIEFS (Jan. 27, 2020)”

Mid-Jan. 2020 DI roundup

SOCIAL MEDIA AND US Lately there has been intense focus on Facebook and the decisions which this social media corporate giant has taken with respect to tools of disinformation. Facebook executives have chosen to give their users a lot of latitude in what some might call fake news, reporting on “deep fake” videos, etc. InContinue reading “Mid-Jan. 2020 DI roundup”

You MUST do better, NBC News

MEMO TO: Noah Oppenheim, President, NBC News RE: Disinformation DATE: December 29, 2019 Dear Noah, You really need to invite Claire Wardle from (formerly) Harvard University’s First Draft Project to visit your newsroom and educate your directors and producers about disinformation. You also ought to book a full “back to class” day of Chuck Todd’sContinue reading “You MUST do better, NBC News”

How objective is your media? Do you check your sources?

As 2020 approaches, it’s apparent that the upcoming election will be even more divisive than 2016 was. Brace yourself for a bumpy ride, especially if you’re a Democrat. It’s worth repeating the obvious: the sources where conservatives and liberals “get” their news are quite different. A study from Pew Research in 2017 found that 40Continue reading “How objective is your media? Do you check your sources?”