A New International Initiative is Taking on Misinformation: Could It Succeed?

In the face of rampant misinformation, a new international initiative is set to tackle the growing challenge of false information dissemination. Inspired by the scientific consensus-building approach of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) has assembled over 200 researchers from 55 countries to investigate and combat the proliferation of misinformation. With its inaugural report, the panel questions the efficacy of content moderation as a primary strategy and highlights alternative evidence-based tactics.

The IPIE's official introduction in Washington signals the urgency and gravity of the misinformation crisis. In an era of eroding trust in institutions, government, and media organizations, the fight against misinformation has become increasingly complex. Algorithmic bias, manipulation, and misinformation "pose “a global and existential threat” that hinders progress on critical issues, degrades public life, and impedes humanitarian initiatives.

The IPIE aims to adopt a scientific approach to the information environment, mirroring the systematic and evidence-based methodologies employed in climate change research. By bringing together experts from diverse disciplines, the panel seeks to analyze the intricate web of misinformation and its impact on society. Rather than fact-checking individual falsehoods, the IPIE focuses on identifying the underlying forces and infrastructural interferences that contribute to the spread of disinformation.

The panel's initial research findings suggest that labeling content as "disputed" and flagging state media sources are effective countermeasures against false information online. Publishing corrective information, such as debunking rumors and disinformation, also proves valuable. However, the report calls for further evidence to determine the effectiveness of efforts to pressure social media giants into content removal and the impact of media literacy programs in combating misinformation.

“We’re not saying that information literacy programs don’t work,” Sebastián Valenzuela, a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile who oversaw the study, told the New York Times. “What we’re saying is that we need more evidence that they work.”

The fight against misinformation faces several challenges, including the ongoing debates surrounding its definition. In the United States, efforts to combat misinformation have encountered obstacles due to free speech protections under the First Amendment. Meanwhile, the involvement of big tech companies has evolved, with some shifting their focus and resources away from combating misinformation. The emergence of new platforms with lax content moderation policies adds to the complexity.

While the IPIE acknowledges the complexity of measuring the impact of misinformation on society, it plans to issue regular reports that shed light on the broader forces at play. Rather than fact-checking specific claims, the panel will assess infrastructural interferences, scrutinizing algorithms for unintended outcomes and informing government policies accordingly. By focusing on deeper systemic issues, the IPIE aims to contribute to the global fight against misinformation.