Speaking Out Amidst Unjust Attacks

Impossible Tradeoffs with Katie Harbath

ACK! I totally forgot to schedule this last night. So sorry for my delay.

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This week we welcome Nina Jankowicz to the podcast. She talks about the importance of recognizing Russia's use of disinformation as a geopolitical strategy and the need for more vocal online presence in countering disinformation. Nina also shares her observations of the impact of Russian disinformation during the 2016 US election from her vantage point in Ukraine. She discusses her research on disinformation in Central and Eastern Europe and the limits of counter disinformation programming.

Nina then talks about her role in the Disinformation Governance Board and the misconceptions and attacks it faced. She emphasizes the importance of balancing free speech and protecting the information environment, citing examples from Germany, Singapore, Ukraine, and Brazil. The conversation covers various topics related to disinformation, online harassment, and the American Sunlight Project (of which I’m an advisor). It highlights the global nature of disinformation and the interconnectedness of these issues. The conversation also explores the challenges faced by women online, including gendered and sexualized abuse.

The American Sunlight Project is introduced as a new initiative to combat disinformation and promote truth and transparency in the discourse. The importance of transparency and accountability in tech platforms and government is emphasized.

Takeaways

* Recognizing and addressing Russia's use of disinformation as a geopolitical strategy is crucial in countering disinformation.

* The impact of Russian disinformation during the 2016 US election was significant, and the hubris of the United States in responding to it was concerning.

* Counter-disinformation programming often faces challenges in balancing its goals with free speech considerations.

* The Disinformation Governance Board faced misconceptions and attacks, highlighting the need for clear communication and understanding of its purpose.

* Balancing free speech and protecting the information environment is complex, and different countries have approached it differently. Disinformation is not limited to foreign actors and is often based on pre-existing social fissures.

* Women face gendered and sexualized abuse online, which has a silencing effect.

* The American Sunlight Project aims to promote truth and transparency in the discourse and inform voters.

* Transparency and accountability are crucial in addressing disinformation and online harassment.

Key Links

* Wilson Center: Freedom and Fakes: A Comparative Exploration of Countering Disinformation and Protecting Free Expression

* MSNBC: New documents show how disinformation expert was unfairly tarred

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