Russian Election Meddling & Fake News | Nina Jancowicz | Modern Wisdom Podcast 210

Unmasking Disinformation: Insights from Nina Jankowicz on Combating Digital Deception

In the "Modern Wisdom Podcast 210," host Chris Williamson delves into the pervasive issue of Russian election meddling and fake news with expert Nina Jankowicz. Nina, an esteemed scholar on disinformation and Russian policy, shares a wealth of insights grounded in her extensive research and real-world encounters with disinformation campaigns.

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Jankowicz discusses the sophisticated tactics used by entities like the Internet Research Agency (IRA) to exploit societal divisions across the globe, particularly in the United States and Ukraine. She emphasizes that the openness and democratic nature of societies are paradoxically both strengths and vulnerabilities, exploited by these disinformation campaigns to undermine public trust and civic engagement.

Practical Strategies and Advice

• Enhanced Digital Literacy: Jankowicz stresses the importance of improving digital literacy among the public to help individuals identify and disregard false information.
• Regulatory Measures: She advocates for the implementation of regulatory measures to hold platforms accountable for the content they disseminate, suggesting this as a deterrent to the spread of disinformation.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: The promotion of awareness campaigns that inform the public about the sources and motives behind the information they consume online is recommended to combat disinformation.

Supporting Evidence

Jankowicz references multiple instances where disinformation efforts were successfully identified and mitigated, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and adaptive strategies to address evolving tactics by malign actors.

Personal Application

She shares personal anecdotes from her career, detailing her interactions with disinformation campaigns and the measures she has taken to educate the public and policymakers about the threats posed by such campaigns.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

Nina Jankowicz recommends several tools and techniques for individuals and institutions:

• Fact-checking tools: Utilization of verified fact-checking services to verify the credibility of information.
• Secure communication platforms: Adoption of secure and transparent communication platforms to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation.
• Collaborative networks: Building networks among journalists, tech companies, and civil society to foster a collaborative approach to detecting and countering disinformation.

Through this comprehensive discussion, Jankowicz not only outlines the scope of the disinformation problem but also provides actionable solutions to resist and counteract its influence in society.