Overview of the challenges to the body politic with disinformation, fake news, propaganda, conspiracy theories and frankly bullshit
Topics for exploration:
The fake news, conspiracy theories, mis and information ecosystems
Conspiracy theories, delusions and psychology
Tracers- time line of a conspiracy
The public defense from conspiracy theories and fake news
Outcomes and deliverables:
Mapping the media ecosystem of COVID 19
Examine and highlight the incentives that drive media reporting and narrative formation
Establishing and crowdsourced reliable time line for COVID 19
Establishing a check list for media organizations and news reports
Provide a framework for reporting and informed citizens
Educate the citizenry
Crowdsourcing knowledge and news: Wikipedia
CSPAN for the digital age
Introduciton:
We live in an era challenged by remarkable advances of digital technology, where social media platforms are connecting billions of individuals across the globe. The immediate consequences for democracy and world stability are mind blowing. In the past year we have witnessed the impact of “fake news,” a savage new form of populism, a tendency for people to declare themselves experts based on a few Google searches, and the globalization of movements. We have seen new technologies challenge the legitimacy of electoral democracy. Rising economic inequality and the superior access of elites to digital platforms have further threatened the democratic order. Technology companies mining clicks of users are developing increasingly sophisticated algorithms that exploit individual biases for political or economic gain.
Politicians and interest groups with access to sophisticated digital tools leverage a deep understanding of psychological drives to channel political action by addressing and personalizing messages that promote emotional response and individual action. Information and facts are replaced by opinions and self-serving statistics. The media are fragmented and driven by the need to appeal to factions and interest groups rather than a desire to provide the accountability envisioned by our founding fathers. Rapidly evolving developments in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning weaponize digital technology and make seeking a different approach essential. A different framework for digital conversation is needed, a structure that starts with consensus on how to talk about complex issues. As the Brandeis Brief and the business plan refocused discourse in their fields, the Medical Case Presentation, and the accompanying Citizen Brief are uniquely positioned to put the citizen back into "We the People".
Current technology allows us to rewire the body politic through digital technology. These tools allow unprecedented opportunity to get access to information, mobilize, challenge misinformation and provide for a more deliberative dialogue. Digital technology can enhance the effectiveness of government services and provide a way for citizens to be more actively engaged, connected to their political ecosystem. Together with a standardized template, the medical case presentation, offers a way forward for enhanced citizen engagement. Citizenism, our approach to reclaim the role of the citizen in the body politic, builds on this framework and includes a Citizen’s Toolbox to fully actualize their citizen role.
Possible remedies
Fact Checking: Facebook says fact-checkers may assess content in op-eds and editorials. The company also released two new ratings for its fact-checking partners: 'altered' and 'missing context'. Read more about it . https://poy.nu/31HKGOw
Facebook: For many fact-checkers, opinion had always been outside the scope of the Third Party Fact-checking Program — until today. (Full disclosure: Facebook requires that its fact-checking partners are verified signatories to IFCN’s Code of Principles).
Experts response: Twitter
Wikipedia and Knowledge co-creation of citizen briefs
Education to media literacy
The citizen based Case: The Medical Case Presentation represents a framework that summons our fellow citizens to address the challenges confronting us as individuals, as communities and as a nation.
Resources:
1. Media Bias Fact Check: Media Bias Fact Check was founded by Dave Van Zandt in 2015. Dave was a Communications major in college and over the years has focused on personal research in media bias and the role of media in politics. Dave is a registered Non-Affiliated voter who values evidence based reporting.
2. The Latest Fact Checks from the International Fact Checking Network
3. Inside the WHO's push to tame the COVID-19 infodemic
Join host Andy Revkin, Earth Institute, Columbia University, USA, as Tim Nguyen of WHO describes a new initiative aimed at boosting the real-world impact of years of research and practice aiming to foster knowledge-based decision making and public behaviour. We'll also hear from Claire Wardle, the U.S. director of First Draft, an organization helping journalists and the public tackle misinformation challenges.