Kate Starbird, a University of Washington professor, warns of an ongoing information war, which she believes is being lost. After the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Starbird started investigating the spread of false rumours online, revealing a network of alternative news sites propagating conspiracy theories. These sites, often linked to Russian sources, are exploiting the algorithmic nature of social media platforms to amplify their reach.
Starbird’s team has uncovered a pattern of disinformation campaigns aimed at sowing discord and undermining trust in institutions. These campaigns are not solely about influencing political outcomes but also about creating confusion and doubt, destabilising societies.
The professor argues that the US’s focus on ‘fake news’ as misleading or false information misses the broader picture. It is not just about fact-checking, but about understanding the systemic problem of an information landscape manipulated for strategic purposes. Starbird calls for a multi-faceted approach, involving tech companies, educators, policy makers, and citizens, to combat this issue.
She also highlights the importance of digital literacy education in schools and universities. This will equip students with the skills to discern reliable information from disinformation, helping to build resilience against these campaigns.
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