Read on Twitter
How should #thinktanks think about misinformation? Here are a few points from our discussion
: https://twitter.com/WonkComms/status/1362400578173890561
: https://twitter.com/WonkComms/status/1362400578173890561
Yes, think tank(er)s are targets of misinformation, e.g. via twitter and on blogs. At today's event, >60% of think tank professionals reported their organizations or colleagues were affected. #wonkcomms https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362405562152026112
While individuals are targetted, misinformation should be seen in the greater context of systemic conflict or order countestation, in wich "we" are often framed as part of an intransparent, powerful elite network that advances ideological interests. https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362407896588423168
But as @LindsayPGorman put it: This is not a battle over competing narratives, but the fight for the value of free information itself. Spot on! This understanding should inform any (policy) response to the challenge. #wonkcomms https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362410250062745601
Misinformation campaigns are designed to undermine democracy, open societies and the free information flows which are the foundation of democratic and free systems. The danger is: mistrust in all information by default https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362406265725550592
Authoritarian strategy: Mistrust by default, leading people to believe there's no value in democracy: "Why deal with complex, exhausting, often contradictory nature of democratic process, if we can have just as untrustworthy simple, authoritarian answers?" https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362409841919201287
The same applies to science ( #covid19). Human nature doesn't like complicated stuff: It costs energy.
Authoritarians with simple answers have an edge. But people value freedom+peace, and we know that illiberalism hurts: millions of people every day, and everybody in the long run. Duh!
Think tanks may have some work to do regarding transparency & professional standards. For more reflections on how they can respond, join the next session of this series.
Thanks for the
discussion @WonkComms @LindsayPGorman @melinakolb @designbysoapbox ! https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362414999617085448
Thanks for the
discussion @WonkComms @LindsayPGorman @melinakolb @designbysoapbox ! https://twitter.com/designbysoapbox/status/1362414999617085448
