Global Journalists Unite Against Disinformation at International Journalism Festival
Last month's International Journalism Festival featured a panel discussion highlighting the critical role of journalists in combating the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly as facilitated by artificial intelligence. Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa of the Philippines underscored the high stakes involved, noting how AI often aids the spread of false information and bolsters authoritarian regimes.
Moderated by Dr. Julie Posetti of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the panel included distinguished journalists Natalia Antelava (Coda Story, Georgia), Branko Brkic (Daily Maverick, South Africa), and Patricia Campos Mello (Folha de São Paulo, Brazil). The session aimed not just to reiterate existing concerns but to highlight innovative solutions that newsroom leaders globally are implementing to tackle this pervasive issue.
Ressa and her team at Rappler have developed the Matrix Protocol, an end-to-end encrypted chat application designed to facilitate decentralized communication. Described as a "digital town square," the app connects users with journalists, civil society groups, and other stakeholders via Rappler’s news platform. This initiative aims to counteract the online threats and harassment journalists face, ensuring safer and more secure interactions.
Antelava employs proactive journalism to investigate how authoritarian regimes use tech platforms to disseminate disinformation. Her work at Coda Story focuses on uncovering the root causes of crises by exposing how governments and platforms exploit local grievances and weaponize nostalgia through targeted disinformation campaigns, even in democratic societies.
At the Daily Maverick, Brkic prioritizes the safety of his journalists, recognizing the potential for online threats to escalate into physical violence. The newsroom offers counseling services, which 60% of the staff have utilized over the past four years. Additionally, Brkic supports the physical relocation of journalists, particularly female reporters, who face higher rates of gendered disinformation and online violence, to safe houses when necessary.
Campos Mello's approach at Folha de São Paulo involves dedicated coverage of disinformation, tracking its funding sources, and monitoring public messaging channels. She also scrutinizes legislation and lobbying efforts by tech companies, employing accountability journalism to ensure these platforms adhere to their own rules and standards.
The panel discussion tied into ICFJ’s three-year Disarming Disinformation initiative. This program equips journalists and community leaders with the tools to investigate disinformation sources, use innovative techniques to disseminate truthful information, and study how newsrooms worldwide are developing replicable strategies to counter falsehoods. Dr. Posetti leads the research component of this project, with all four news outlets represented on the panel participating in the initiative.
