Centre for Information Integrity

6 February 2024: Off-Shor Disinformation: The pro-Russian Facebook ad campaign disrupting Moldova’s EU accession

YouTube

The webinar on 6 February uncovered the intricate web of deception woven by EU/US-sanctioned oligarch Ilan Shor and his pro-Russian party in their relentless bid to sabotage Moldova’s aspirations for EU membership. RESET, in a joint investigation with WatchDog.md, discovered the largest Moldovan paid ad campaign witnessed on Facebook in 2023, including coordinated inauthentic behaviour and glaring violations of platform policies.

A Citizen Perspective on Mis and Disinformation

 3/28/2022

YouTube

Shorenstein Center

In this talk Claes de Vreese, Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Society at the University of Amsterdam, addresses how citizens see mis- and disinformation. The talk analyzes how citizens perceive the phenomenon and who they see as the main culprits. He also explores misconceptions about how algorithms work and how this may aggravate the consequences of misinformation. Finally, he reviews recent European initiatives specifically addressing mis- and disinformation.

A History of Fake News

 6/14/2018

YouTube

IEA London

“Fake news” has been sweeping the nation - or has it? Today we're joined by Kate Andrews, News Editor at the IEA and Head of Education Dr. Steve Davies. Steve argues that, unlike what many in the mainstream media would have you believe, “fake news” is nothing new. In fact, trawling through history, we see that “fake news” has been around in innumerable ways, shapes and forms, for centuries - even millennia. There is no one kind of fake news, and Kate and Steve examine some of the major distinctions between them, particularly in regards to intention and trust in mainstream. Finally, they examine how to spot fake news - and what we can all do to halt its dissemination and create a higher standard of debate.

AI and Fake News - Data Debate

 1/8/2020

YouTube

Turing Institute

Fake news is fuelling rising public mistrust of the media, politics and big business, with even health services subject to conspiracy around life-saving vaccines and other treatments. What role does AI play in creating and disseminating fake news and how can we harness the same technologies to counteract them.

Carlo Ginzburg lecture - Fake news? An old, new story

 1/12/2022

YouTube

House of European History

In this lecture, Carlo Ginzburg attempts to analyse the phenomenon of “Fake News” with a certain chronological and conceptual distance. He does so on the basis of the essay by Robert Merton, who popularised the notion of a self-fulfilling prophecy. This essay, published in 1948, well before the advent of the internet, has not been prominently cited in the debate on fake news. Yet it allows us to understand the phenomenon from an angle that is both enlightening and unexpected.

Climate Disinfo Reload.

 5/15/2025

EU Disinfo Lab

From AI-generated greenwashing to transatlantic denial campaigns, climate disinformation is evolving rapidly. In this session, leading experts from Global Witness and Ripple Research will expose the most significant threats anticipated in 2025 and explore the actions that can still be taken to counter them. From US powerhouses to global ripple effects, Trump and Musk are fueling a transatlantic wave of climate disinformation, weakening climate action from Washington to Brasília, Brussels to Berlin. Two expert speakers. One critical conversation. This isn’t just a webinar, it’s a wake-up call.

Cracking Down on Disinformation

 3/9/2022

YouTube

The Agenda with Steve Paikin

How are social media platforms, fact-checking organizations, and data journalism combatting disinformation? Then, will put financial pressure on Russia's oligarchs help resolve the current conflict?

Deepfake video: The weaponization of fake news

 11/18/2018

YouTube

The Fifth Estate

The technology to manipulate video has become so sophisticated that words can literally be put into people’s mouths. Mark Kelley explores how it’s done and why the implications have led the U.S. Defence Department to work to protect itself against the "weaponization" of fake news.

Defending Against Disinformation

A panel of Berkeley scholars explore a critical question facing U.S. democracy: How can we counter disinformation without compromising America’s core principles?

Disinfo Discussions: History of Disinformation with Thomas Rid

 5/10/2021

YouTube

Aspen Digital

Garrett Graff, the director for cyber initiatives for the Aspen Digital program, discusses the history of disinformation with Thomas Rid, a political scientist and professor of strategic studies at Johns Hopkins University. His book, Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare, examines Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election in the US. This session is part of a series of expert briefings on mis and disinformation hosted by the Aspen Institute in tandem with our Commission on Information Disorder to help make sense of the various facets of the information crisis. They are designed as a resource for the commissioners and the broader public.

Disinformation & the Threat to Democracy

 1/4/2019

YouTube

Library of Congress

Anne Applebaum discusses the challenge facing democracies from disinformation campaigns and what might be done about it.

Disinformation and its Impact on Democratic Processes

 4/26/2022

YouTube

International IDEA Discussion focuses on how disinformation is contributing to democratic decline globally, and how governments can respond and build resilience to disinformation. Case studies from Sweden, Myanmar and Canada are discussed and compared to illustrate the wide impact disinformation tactics can have in different contexts.

Disinformation and the Russia Ukraine war

 3/11/2022

YouTube

Princeton University

Russia is no stranger to turning to the digital sphere to spread misinformation and propaganda. As the war wages in Ukraine, how is internet discourse adding fuel to the fire — and what cybersecurity threats remain? Asha Rangappa '96, CNN legal and national security analyst and former FBI agent, moderates the discussion with Princeton experts who focus on disinformation, online governance, and propaganda by authoritarian actors.

Disinformation Games

 8/26/2021

YouTube

Games for Change

The U.S. Department of State's Global Engagement Center (GEC) hosts an expert roundtable to discuss the use of digital games to counter disinformation and extremism. The GEC discusses the game it co-funded with the Department of Homeland Security, "Harmony Square", and the gameplay mechanics of "active inoculation" to bolster cognitive defenses against disinformation. The GEC is joined by several other academic and commercial developers of games that address the problems of environmental, political, and ideological disinformation in fun ways.

Disinformation, Misinformation, and “Fake News”

 9/17/2019

YouTube

KTOO360TV

Recent events have revealed that both state and non-state actors are capable of carrying out malign information operations against democratic countries. Targeted disinformation campaigns can interfere not only in elections but our entire political discourse, often seeking to damage the foundations of democratic societies. This session will focus on defining and unpacking the problem and offering democratic solutions for civil society, governments, and platforms to address this challenge.

Disinformation's Consequences

 4/28/2021

YouTube

Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School

The IOP, the University of Chicago IOP, and the Shorenstein Center welcome Dr. Joan Donovan, Roger McNamee, Kara Swisher, and Nancy Gibbs for a conversation on the looming and ongoing challenges disinformation poses to democracy.

Dismantling Disinformation

Panel explores concrete proposals for dismantling disinformation in communities, on social media, and through public policy and regulation. Brings together experts from multiple fields — including communication, education, behavioral psychology, and First Amendment law — to tackle an issue that could well shape the future of public health. This is a conversation about solutions, and the role each of us can play in limiting the impact of false content.

Duncan Watts - A Data-Driven View of the Information Ecosystem

 4/30/2019

YouTube

NAS Colloquia

A Data-Driven View of the Information Ecosystem: Real News, Fake News, and No News at All - Duncan Watts, Microsoft, Inc.

Fact-checking in the ‘fake news’ era

 10/22/2021

YouTube

American Enterprise Institute

Rising political polarization and declining trust have created an American “marketplace of realities,” where politicians feel less constrained by verifiable facts. Media fact-checking has been a way to ensure accountability and provide factual information in this environment. However, increasing polarization and declining trust in news organizations have muddied the waters in which journalists present and verify factual information. Despite fact-checking’s growing ubiquity, many challenges remain: How can fact-checking efforts leverage new technology, respond to shifts in the political and cultural landscape, and prepare us to be well-informed citizens leading up to the 2020 election and beyond? Join AEI for a presentation by David Barker, author of “One Nation, Two Realities: Dueling Facts in American Democracy” (Oxford University Press, 2019), followed by a panel discussion on the current state of fact-checking and challenges faced by those working in this industry.

Fake News & Alternative Facts: Fighting Disinformation

 10/23/2019

YouTube

UChicago Institute of Politics

Fake News in the Post-Truth Era: A Professional Panel

 12/18/2019

YouTube

Case Western Reserve University

Fake News: An Oxford Conversation

 1/15/2021

YouTube

Oxford Population Health

Fake News: The Math Behind the Myths

 10/22/2021

YouTube

Bentley University

How does technology exacerbate — and ameliorate — the spread of conspiracy theories? As the author of “How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News,” Assistant Professor Noah Giansiracusa will explain how his formal training in mathematics led him to exploring some of the most challenging questions about information being shared on social media.

Fake News: The Role of Suggestion in a Fast World

 7/5/2022

YouTube

International Psychoanalytical Association

Fake: Searching For Truth In The Age Of Misinformation

 2/14/2020

YouTube

Connecticut Public

Given the sheer volume of news available, how can the average person separate fact from fiction? This series draws from common sense, critical thinking skills, and universal standards of journalism to give viewers the tools to discern fact from fiction in news reports, identify fake news, and evaluate the biases of real news. This documentary explores how and why misinformation spreads, and how to be a smarter information consumer in our increasingly digital world.

Former President Barack Obama and Maria Ressa on Disinformation and the Erosion of Democracy You Tube.

 4/6/2022

The Atlantic

President Barack Obama, Anne Applebaum, David Axelrod, Jeffrey Goldberg, Adrienne LaFrance, and Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa discuss disinformation and the threats it poses to democracy in the first part of a conference presented by The Atlantic and the University of Chicago Institute of Politics.

Former President Obama speaks on disinformation's threat to democracy at Stanford University

Former President Barack Obama delivers a keynote address at Stanford University about disinformation and challenges to democracy in the digital realm.

General election: How big a threat is AI and disinformation to elections in 2024?

 5/25/2024

YouTube

Institute for Government

AI-generated ‘deepfake’ audio clips of both London mayor Sadiq Khan and leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer have circulated on social media. A faked robocall impersonating Joe Biden was sent to voters before a primary election. The number of AI-enhanced images of politicians is increasing. In a year when over two billion people in more than 50 countries will vote in elections, the use of AI technology – more widely accessible than ever – and disinformation could have a major impact on trust and integrity.

How Should the U.S. Respond to Disinformation?

 10/20/2022

YouTube

New America

The 2022 Future Security Forum recorded a discussion of the issue of disinformation and how the United States does and should respond to it.

How to fight misinformation in the post-truth era

 11/17/2022

YouTube

PHYS Org. Central European University

In February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, sparking the largest military conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Propaganda has long been a major aspect of war. The article also touches upon the question of the future usage of AI and the fear that it may be used to produce disinformation in the future. "The institutions of epistemic vigilance are indeed challenged by digitization. Perhaps the solution lies in digitization too, in programming AI to curate reliable information based on the principles of epistemic vigilance," the authors claim. In conclusion, history tells us that institutions that deliver reliable information are fragile, and there is no straightforward strategy to repair them. Szegofi and Heintz believe that while it is not certain that we will have institutions of epistemic vigilance in the future, it is worth saving them, as they allow for us to trust.

How to spot manipulated video

 6/25/2019

YouTube

Washington Post

The Internet is increasingly populated with false and misleading videos — spread by politicians, advocacy groups and others — viewed by millions. The Fact Checker set out to develop a universal language to label misleading online video and hold creators and sharers of this misinformation accountable. Some video is taken out of context; other content is deceptively edited or, in the worst instances, deliberately altered. We’ve grouped manipulated video into three categories with further sub-categories.

Information manipulation: How the media ecosystem is being gamed and exploited - Craig Silverman

 2/4/2019

YouTube

Alan Turing Institute

Every digital product or service can be gamed or exploited, and this is especially true of today’s media and information environment. Whether it’s Russian trolls trying to create division in a democracy, marketers scheming to get the best reviews for their product, or criminals stealing billions thanks to ad fraud, our media environment is more open to manipulation than ever before. This talk exposes how it’s being done, and outlines ways to reclaim the media space from frauds and fakers.

IPRI Webinar Series Mapping Disinformation in the Digital Age

 5/19/2021

YouTube

Islamabad Policy Research Institute

The webinar “Mapping Disinformation in the Digital Age” is an attempt to explore such trends of disinformation. It remains interesting to discuss how online disinformation campaigns have evolved. We seek to discuss the manifestations of digital foreign interference and cyber conflicts in the modern world. Disinformation is not spread in a vacuum, but it has considerable impact on the behavior and decision-making of the people. The panel would assess the larger implications of disinformation on behaviors. The disinformation trends calls for the digital resilience worldwide. We seek to articulate the ethnics of digital technologies, if any, and chart out how laws and regulations can address the challenges posed by disinformation.

Is Europe ready for an information war?

 6/23/2022

YouTube

Debating Europe

What does it mean to “win the information war”? During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, headlines have proclaimed Ukraine to be “winning” its information war against Russia. But what is an information war? Is it a fancy name for propaganda? Does it also include, for example, controlling the flow of information to open source platforms (which can then be geolocated using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques)? What might future information war mean in a world of the metaverse and Extended Reality (XR)?

Peter Pomerantsev interview on "This is not propaganda", disinformation and fake news HQ

 6/10/2020

YouTube

University of Sheffield

Peter Pomerantsev in conversation with Henk de Berg from The University of Sheffield on "This is not propaganda", disinformation and fake news.

Peter Pomerantsev on Disinformation in the Modern Age

 11/28/2019

YouTube

Hromadske International

Disinformation, propaganda, and ‘fake news’ – these are some of the biggest topics today – especially in Ukraine, where Russian disinformation has inspired Ukrainians to create organizations like StopFake to combat it. Author Peter Pomerantsev’s new book "This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality" dives deep into the world of propaganda, looking at techniques used across the world, from the Philippines to Russia. Hromadske was able to sit down with Pomerantsev to discuss the book, as well as take a look at the common threads linking ISIS, the far-right, and modern populist movements.

Peter Pomerantsev: From Information to Disinformation Age - Russia and the Future of Propaganda Wars

 2/16/2016

YouTube

IWMVienna

Despite decades of struggle for freedom of speech and access to unbiased information, the 21st century has not ended manipulation of and by the media. On the contrary, conflicts are being fought and won on TV-screens, airwaves and the Internet with an alarming intensity and frequency. Where does Russia figure in this troubling landscape? Did Vladimir Putin’s media-savvy regime invent the new mediated world in which ‘nothing is true and everything is possible‘ or did it simply follow certain preexisting models? Can Putin’s propaganda be countered and would this help to end the disinformation age in which we are living? Peter Pomerantsev took his newly published book “Nichts ist wahr und alles ist möglich” as a starting point to explore – in conversation with IWM Visiting Fellow Anton Shekhovtsov – new forms of Russian propaganda.

Philanthropy and Democracy: Re-Imagining the Information Ecosystem Landscape

 11/30/2021

YouTube

Philanthropic Foundations Canada

A healthy democracy and a healthy information ecosystem are intimately intertwined. Globally, the Forum on Information and Democracy calls for immediate and sustained action in favour of independent journalism. The Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) is a global initiative that aims at creating a healthier information space. In Canada, some funders are supporting public interest journalism. For some it is part of a broader strategy to support their missions, for others, it is a path to narrative power for equity-seeking groups. What role can philanthropy play in building a more just, equitable, and inclusive Canada through media? How can we de-risk journalism for funders? Join us as we hear from Canadian and international leaders in this space.

Renee DiResta: Media and Disinformation: What’s At Stake for Democracy?

 6/27/2019

YouTube

World Affairs

There is a war happening, according to Renee DiResta. “We are immersed in an evolving, ongoing conflict: an 'Information World War' in which state actors, terrorists, and ideological extremists leverage the social infrastructure underpinning everyday life to sow discord and erode shared reality,” she argues. It is an ongoing battle, with individual skirmishes in far-flung places like Estonia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and Myanmar as well as in the United States. Understanding who the digital combatants and cyberwarriors are as well as the methods they employ is the business of people like Renee DiResta, Mozilla Fellow for Media, Misinformation and Trust. We are all coming to the conclusion that, “something is wrong on the internet.” The question now is, what to do about it? With new elections taking place in Europe and in other countries around the world this year and the upcoming 2020 US Presidential election, what is at stake for democracies that value free speech and eschew internet governance? DiResta will discuss the ways in which this information world war is playing out and make some policy recommendations for the future.

Rethinking Democracy: Action Lab 1 - The New Information Ecosystem

 10/21/2021

YouTube

Club de Madrid

Club de Madrid is the world's largest forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers, who leverage their unique leadership experience and global reach to strengthen inclusive democratic practice and improve the well-being of people around the world.

Russian Disinformation in Canada

 10/13/2022

YouTube

U Calgary Alumni All-Access – School of Public Policy

In February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine, sparking the largest military conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Propaganda has long been a major aspect of war. How does the Russian propaganda machine work??What impact does disinformation have on the war in Ukraine? A panel of experts delved into the workings of disinformation and the dissemination of propaganda to both the Russian people and the world. Find out how propaganda is targeted at Russians and those living outside of Russia, and what impact these campaigns have on the war in Ukraine and other Russian-led efforts.

Russian Disinformation in the 21st Century

 12/2/2024

Wilson Center

Russian disinformation campaigns have been a major talking point in the West for nearly a decade. Much ink has been spilled on these campaigns’ effects on elections, policy, and even general public opinion. Western governments clearly consider it a threat: the UK Parliament had a “Disinformation and ‘Fake News’ Committee in 2018, the US State Department’s Global Engagement Center released a report on Russia’s disinformation strategy in August 2020, and the US Army War College published an article discussing Russian Information Warfare in May 2024. The question remains, however: how does Russian disinformation operate, how effective is it, and what can be done about it? This panel discussion features a conversation among Sir John Scarlett, Peter Pomerantsev, Dr. Sarah Ann Oates, and Jill Dougherty. They discuss the past, present, and future of Russian disinformation campaigns, their most common targets, and what potentially can be done to put a stop to them.

Social Media and the Problem of Hateful Content

 4/3/2019

YouTube

The Agenda with Steve Paikin

A live stream of the in-process Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shootings has put Facebook on the defensive about its practices. The footage remained on the site for 29 minutes until it was reported and removed. In an age where anyone can broadcast to the world, technology companies are facing questions about how the content on their platforms should be regulated. The agenda discusses the responsibilities of social media companies in situations like these.

Social Media: Communication Tool or Divisive Element?

 7/27/2021

YouTube

The Agenda with Steve Paikin

In 2011, Facebook and Twitter played a large role in the Arab Spring uprising. Since revolutions existed before the advent of social media, we wondered how much of a difference they really make? Then, this year, we invited author Ron Deibert to discuss the ideas he brought forth in his book, "Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society," and what he calls the ,painful truth, of the internet age.

Steven Pinker: Danger of moral panic over “fake news”

 11/12/2021

YouTube

The Telegraph

Social media companies face a tough choice in censoring their users. Steven Pinker joins Steven Edginton to discuss rationality, big tech companies and conspiracy theories in the latest Off Script podcast. Watch the full episode above or search “Off Script” on your podcast app.

The Age of Fake Realities is Upon Us

 11/10/2020

YouTube

The Agenda with Steve Paikin

Conspiracy theories and accusations of fake news routinely fly in some quarters across the political spectrum, and particularly in the Twitter feed of the current U.S. president. Such talk feeds a climate of misinformation and even disinformation. And if that's not unnerving enough, a new book by Nina Schick exposes a whole other level to this problem. We welcome Schick to discuss, "Deep fakes: The Coming Infocalypse."

The Amplification of Disinformation

 10/25/2021

YouTube

The Undergraduate Philosophy Club hosts a panel discussion on the amplification of disinformation led by professors Thad Botham, Joan McGregor, Marcello Di Bello and Jeffrey Watson.

The Birth of Click Bait & Fake News: Yellow Journalism

 1/27/2022

YouTube

Dark History Podcast

The News. However you feel about it, it’s something we all know and all kind of need. And we have seen how badly it can go when the people in charge of the news take advantage of that. But when did that all start, how did two men flip the news industry on its head, sensationalize the news, and change how the news would be done?

The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood

 3/24/2011

YouTube

James Gleick

James Gleick spoke to Googlers in Mountain View, California on March 17, 2011 about his latest book The Information: A History, a Theory, a Flood.

The psychology of fake news

 5/9/2022

YouTube

Monash Business School

The spread of misinformation online can have dramatic consequences, from influencing election outcomes to compromising public health initiatives. In this lecture, award-winning scholar and fact-checking researcher MIT Professor David G. Rand explains why people believe and share fake news, and offers scalable fact-checking strategies such as crowdsourced veracity ratings to improve social media ranking algorithms.

The role of education in the fake news era

 5/27/2022

YouTube

University of Cambridge

The seminar 'The role of education in the fake news era' promotes debate on the phenomenon of fake news, which has become a global threat to democracy. We seek to understand what role does (or can) education play in times marked by the advance of misinformation and a social and political context with the rise of populist movements, global polarisation and technological advances increasing the potential for rapid dissemination of fake news. The seminar is chaired by Haira Gandolfi (Lecturer, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge), with guest speakers Susan Robertson (Head of the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge), Ma´rcia Tiburi (Philosopher and Lecturer, University Paris 8), Jean Wyllys (Journalist and scholar, University of Barcelona and Harvard) and Victor Fraga (journalist and filmmaker).

Towards a Stronger Information Ecosystem: Commission on Info Disorder Report & Recommendations

 11/15/2021

YouTube

Aspen Institute

Following months of expert consultation and internal discussion, the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder has launched its final recommendations for addressing America’s urgent mis- and disinformation crisis. Co-chairs Katie Couric, Chris Krebs, and Rashad Robinson engage in a live discussion of how government, private industry, and civil society can increase transparency and understanding, build trust, and reduce harms. The conversation covers what the Commission’s recommendations are, how they were selected, and what comes next.

VIDEO: World Press Freedom Day Event: Disinformation and Democracy

CPAC

World Press Freedom Canada hosts its annual event to mark World Press Freedom Day. Former anchor and journalist Kevin Newman delivers a keynote address on the threat disinformation poses to democracy and Canadian media. Following his speech, journalists are presented with Press Freedom Awards, recognizing individuals who have shown courage in continuing their work to promote press freedom.

What is Fake News?

 11/12/2018

YouTube

BBC Click

BBC Click talks to people who create fake news and investigates how video and sound can be manipulated.

When Sensationalism Became Fake News

 9/29/2021

YouTube

PBS

In the late 1800s, William Randolph Hearst pioneered yellow journalism, a style of reporting focused on eye-catching headlines and sensationalism over the accurate reporting of facts. Today, media consumers and journalists contend not only with exaggerated headlines and click-driven content, but stories shared exclusively to spread misinformation. Our panelists examine the ubiquity of William Randolph Hearst’s media empire, the novel tactics he employed to build it, and its lasting impact on journalism today. They explore the parallels between Hearst's pioneering methods and modern-day engagement-driven reporting, the proliferation of misleading and fake news online, and how journalists work to report the truth to an increasingly skeptical populace.

Wikipedia Founder Combatting Fake News

 12/4/2017

YouTube

Talks at Google

Wikipedia Founder, Jimmy Wales discusses fake news and his new site, WikiTribune, which attempts to combat it. He is joined by WikiTribune co-founder and human rights activist Orit Kopel.