Sharing “Existing Practices against Disinformation (EPaD)” | IGF 2023 Day 0 Event #202

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Chay F. Hofileña

Chay F. Hofileña shares her experiences with Rappler in their ongoing fight against disinformation, highlighting the role of Facts First PH. This initiative utilises a multi-sector approach, incorporating aspects of fact-checking, research, and accountability from fields such as media, civil society, academia, and legal professionals, to tackle the rising issue of misinformation.

Hofileña emphasises the significance of digital engagement for reaching the reader demographic, especially considering that the bulk of Rappler’s readership falls within the 18-34 age category. She demonstrates the efficacy of employing platforms like TikTok and visual content, as seen in the 2022 presidential elections, where cartoons were created and shared to make fact-checking more appealing and engaging.

However, she voices genuine concerns over the intensifying harassment and intimidation of journalists, actions which potentially weaken media institutions and undermine democratic structures. Specific instances, such as Filipino journalists being accused of communist associations under the Duterte administration, are highlighted to illustrate these concerns. She points out the urgent need for legal retaliation, such as the counteraction led by the Movement Against Disinformation against META for failure to disclose information regarding anonymous accounts targeting a provincial publication’s editor-in-chief.

Strengthening the journalism industry is suggested as an effective way to mitigate the spread of disinformation. Hofileña proposes that newsrooms and journalists be equipped with adequate tools and resources for online investigations. Moreover, she supports the concept of ‘pre-bunking’, a proactive approach to prevent the spread of misinformation, acknowledging the financial implications associated with its implementation.

Given the uneven dispersal of skills among journalists within the Philippines and the wider region, Hofileña moots potential collaborations for skill enhancement as a viable solution. Such collaborations are exemplified by Rappler’s fellowship programmes for journalists’ upskilling, facilitated by grants and funding. The benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration among reporters from various newsrooms are similarly highlighted to encourage the sharing of unique skills and knowledge.

Lastly, alerting the journalism community about forthcoming challenges, Hofileña alludes to the looming threat that Artificial Intelligence (AI) poses to newsrooms. At present, specific details about this threat are unspecified, yet her warning underscores an urgency to prepare journalists and newsrooms for this impending challenge. This comprehensive summary underscores the necessity of multi-pronged strategies to tackle disinformation; from digital adaptation and cross-industry collaboration to enhanced resource funding, and preparation for emerging tech trends like AI.

Madeline Shepherd

Microsoft is creating a significant impact in the fight against disinformation through its proactive use of technology and collaborative strategies. This is evidenced by the implementation of its Democracy Forward Initiative, focusing on cultivating a healthier information ecosystem, and by the introduction of its experimental information integrity rules. These initiatives demonstrate an upfront approach and commitment to bolstering societal resilience against disinformation.

A defining aspect of Microsoft’s strategy lies in partnerships and alliances. The corporation has secured partnerships with NewsGuard, providing credibility ratings for news websites. This collaborative endeavour empowers users to identify credible sources, aiming to build a more reliable digital landscape. Furthermore, as a founding member of the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, Microsoft reinforces the shared corporate responsibility to tackle the widespread issue of disinformation.

Microsoft’s commitment also extends to broader discussions concerning the role of the private sector in supporting democratic institutions. This reflects an understanding of the significant influence that technology giants can exert within such institutions. Microsoft adopts stringent measures on platforms such as LinkedIn, systematically eliminating fake accounts. This pattern also pervades their Bing platform, which systematically promotes authoritative information.

Education is a central pillar of Microsoft’s approach, with efforts to build resilience against disinformation through information literacy. Highlighting this, Microsoft utilises its advertising spaces to promote resources and skills in information literacy. Additionally, they plan to introduce an innovative educational game using Minecraft to further augment these efforts.

Microsoft also places strong importance on utilising technology, expressed in its willingness to establish alliances with newsrooms and fact-checkers. With AI transforming the terrain of news, Microsoft highlights the need to leverage these beneficial advancements to enhance the capabilities of fact-checkers, thereby improving the quality of news output.

Finally, Microsoft addresses the future implications of AI, underlining the importance of education in digital resilience and information literacy. The corporation identifies these skills as crucial for younger generations growing up amidst AI technology and emphasises the importance of responsible technology usage and safe digital habits.

In summary, Microsoft’s holistic approach embodies a balanced combination of technology utilisation, collaborative partnerships, and educational initiatives. This reflects their commitment to maintaining information integrity and promoting digital resilience, ultimately contributing to the achievement of the sustainable development targets of Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

Shinichi Yamaguchi

Misinformation and disinformation have a significant impact on citizens’ views, particularly in political spheres. Specifically, ‘mild supporters’, who comprise a large portion of voters, are greatly susceptible to the sway of such false information. This underlines the potency of misinformation and disinformation in altering public opinion, evidenced by individuals significantly changing their perspectives upon exposure to fabricated data.

Moreover, the challenge of false information is not confined to the digital realm. It has permeated all areas of society, with 15% to 35% of individuals reportedly disseminating the misinformation they received, often through direct conversations with their peers. This illustrates that the issue of misinformation and disinformation extends beyond the internet, serving as a comprehensive societal problem necessitating holistic solutions.

The issue is further amplified by the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-created disinformation. This novel form of questionable information, generated by ‘Generative AI’, adds another dimension of complexity to the situation. It facilitates easy exploitation of public sentiment through deceivingly real images and videos. Regrettably, humans often find it challenging to distinguish between credible information and AI-generated misinformation. This could result in exponential growth in misinformation volumes, outpacing content produced by humans.

The problem of false information is not contained within borders; rather, it casts a global shadow, capable of crossing national boundaries and creating chaos on an international scale. This underscores the need for global cooperation and concerted efforts in tackling this issue. Utilising tools like advanced technology, quality education, and robust stakeholder engagement can prove instrumental in such endeavours.

An instance of this approach is observed in the collaboration of IT companies with the Japanese government for conducting verification studies. Similarly, fostering critical thinking skills through educational materials can arm students effectively against disinformation. Additionally, hosting events that encourage dialogue between different stakeholders can facilitate meaningful progress in the fight against misinformation.

There is an urgent call for standardised development processes and regulations for AI, prioritising safety and security. Such guidelines would aid in mitigating the detrimental impacts of AI-generated disinformation, highlighting the necessity for regulations that align with technological advancements.

International collaboration is essential, particularly for streamlining fact-checking processes, making them more efficient and trustworthy. Going a step further, techniques for detecting misinformation and disinformation should be globally shared, fostering broader international knowledge-sharing and cooperation. Through implementing these measures, societies can build a solid defence against the onslaught of disinformation and misinformation.

Moderator

Across G7 countries and the European Union, extensive countermeasures are being implemented to tackle the growing issue of disinformation. These measures fall into four principal categories: civil society, social media platforms, government bodies, and research entities. An array of projects, tools, and initiatives are being developed within these groups to educate the public, fact-check information, and ensure the accountability of online platforms.

A key part of these counter-disinformation strategies revolves around promoting media literacy. For example, the UK has designed projects such as E-Internet Citizens and Find a Fake to enhance the understanding of media among its citizens. Germany has pursued a similar path, providing training for journalists to interpret and accurately report statistics – a critical tool in the fight against disinformation.

Social media platforms are not only a significant battleground for addressing disinformation but also crucial in mitigation efforts. Countries like the UK, France, and those within the EU have implemented various measures to hold these platforms accountable and promote reliable information.

Meanwhile, research entities are launching strategic projects targeting disinformation. A case in point is Toronto’s Digital Public Sphere project, which has developed an educational tool named ‘Know it or Not’. Germany has infused their academic curriculum with official statistics, thereby equipping learners with the skills to better interpret the information landscape.

Active in the fight against disinformation are government bodies, too. The EU, for example, has introduced regulatory measures like the Digital Service Act to ensure transparency and platform accountability. Both the US and Italy are developing official communication channels and working groups respectively, to preserve the freedom and accuracy of information.

On the front line of the battle against disinformation is journalism. Despite instances of distrust and criticism, organisations like Rappler have taken determined strides to counter disinformation through journalism, community engagement, and tech innovation. Rappler has become a fact-check partner for Facebook in the Philippines, supported by a range of journalists’ groups, NGOs, businesses, universities, and legal entities.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of information dissemination, technology and notably AI, have presented new challenges and opportunities. Microsoft, a tech giant, has embraced the challenge, employing technology and fostering partnerships to combat disinformation. Their proactive measures include blocking fake accounts on LinkedIn and promoting trustworthy information.

The prediction that AI-generated content will soon surpass people-generated information highlights an imminent shift and emphasises the urgent need to develop an international AI standard. It also points to the potential utility of AI in mitigating disinformation, such as in improving fact-checking efficiency.

Ultimately, it is abundantly clear that the fight against disinformation is a multi-dimensional endeavour requiring international collaboration and multi-stakeholder cooperation – from the governments that regulate, the platforms that disseminate information, the educational institutions that teach media literacy, to the tech companies blazing a trail with AI-based and technological solutions.

Aribowo Sasmito

MAFINDO, an esteemed organisation established on 19 November 2016, plays an instrumental role in combating disinformation and enhancing literacy education within Indonesia. Their work aligns with the aims of SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The breadth of their impact extends to branches in 40 cities nationwide, marshalled by approximately 1,000 dedicated volunteers, showcasing the ascending support for these initiatives.

Enhancing their capability to tackle misinformation, MAFINDO holds a prestigious position as an authorised third-party fact checker for dominant social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. In embracing technological advances, MAFINDO utilises innovative tools like the increasingly popular WhatsApp chatbots to extend their services.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, MAFINDO has expanded their collaborations, allying with government and international entities like the Indonesian COVID-19 Task Force, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNESCO, UNICEF, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Complementing these efforts, relationships with over 20 national media platforms have been established to collectively address the challenges of health misinformation on the platform, Cekfakta.com, significantly contributing to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

MAFINDO utilises a strategic combination of debunking and pre-bunking misinformation tactics, addressing spread of false information both post and pre-dissemination. They offer proactive pre-bunking training in various cities before the general election, equipping citizens with knowledge to counter misinformation.

The analysis underscores the global nature of battling disinformation and misinformation, advocating for deepened international cooperation. These issues require joint global efforts and collaboration amongst members of the internet ecosystem to effectively address misinformation. The summary suggests a consensus around this call-to-action.

In sum, the analysis shed light on MAFINDO’s crucial and proactive work in mitigating disinformation and misinformation, fostering literacy education, and building collaborative partnerships, all while prioritising public wellness in the face of major global events. There’s a pressing need for shared responsibility and global action within the internet ecosystem, both in Indonesia and worldwide, to ensure robust mitigation against potential damages of disinformation and misinformation.

Speakers