Articles tagged with Propaganda
A systematic review reveals that social media has only partially fulfilled its promise to democratize climate change communication. Established actors continue to shape the discussion, while climate-change skeptics gain visibility. This undermines public debate on climate change.
Despite scientific progress, public faith in science is collapsing due to the proliferation of digital platforms and the democratization of access to information. This erodes trust as people rely on expert opinions without evaluating scientific claims for themselves.
Researchers have developed an AI tool that can detect online propaganda in Kinyarwanda, a Bantu language spoken by 350 million Africans. The dataset, called KinyaProp, provides examples of misinformation in Kinyarwanda for large language models to learn from and recognize.
The Handala hacker group, linked to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, uses cyberattacks to wage psychological warfare and conduct influence operations. Its primary objective is not to inflict significant damage but to create a sense of threat and insecurity, particularly in Israel.
A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...
A study by UC Riverside found that Black and Latino teens are more adept at detecting online disinformation, particularly related to race and ethnicity. These teens are quicker to identify false claims and respond with corrective content, often driven by their lived experiences navigating online racism.
Researchers warn that AI-controlled personas, mimicking humans, can tilt elections through coordinated narratives and persuasive messages. The next election may be the proving ground for this technology, threatening democratic discourse.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that talking about what you oppose instead of what you support makes others more open to your views. Small changes in wording can impact receptiveness to messages.
A new analysis using COTSI data reveals that verifying fake accounts for use in the US and UK is almost as cheap as in Russia, while Japan and Australia have high prices due to SIM costs and photo ID rules. The average price of SMS verification for an online platform was $0.26 in the US and $0.10 in the UK.
The ARU symposium delves into the effects of consuming mass-produced low-quality content, reshaping art, media, politics, and the internet. Dr Tina Kendall discusses the psychological and societal implications of AI-generated material, including its environmental costs.
Researchers analyzed Facebook posts from populist parties in 13 European countries and found they often use controversial issues and anti-liberal language. These tactics are used to steer public discussion away from problem-solving and instead create division in society.
The Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia topped the Index on International Media Freedom Support, while Latvia came in 9th. The report highlights a significant gap between public commitments and actual support for media freedom among larger countries like the US, UK, Italy, and Japan.
A study published in a book by Professor Florian Stöckel and colleagues found that social media comments can act as signals for true or false information, helping users identify accurate news. However, these comments can also be misleading and undermine trust in correct information.
A new study by the International Center for Journalists and US universities found that Trump was the main source and distributor of disinformation in ethnic and Indigenous press in the US. The research also linked the prevalence of political disinformation to a decline in trust in the news and an increase in violence against journalists.
A recent survey found that misinformation and disinformation have a significant impact on romantic relationships, leading to increased conflict and tension. The study, conducted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, suggests that divisiveness in the public sphere is contributing to the decline of couples' relationships.
Researchers found that posts with Community Notes attached were less prone to going viral and got less engagement. After getting a note, reposts dropped 46% and likes dropped 44%. The study suggests that Community Notes are an important addition to platforms' toolbox in reducing misinformation spread.
Researchers warn that dynamic pricing can erode customer loyalty and face regulatory scrutiny, highlighting the need for careful planning and human oversight in algorithmic pricing decisions. Companies must balance profit optimization with marketing strategy and customer sentiment to avoid backlash.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that social media engagement flips from hostility to solidarity after a major crisis, such as the attempted assassination of Donald Trump and Joe Biden's suspension of his re-election campaign. This 'ingroup love' effect is seen in Republican and Democrat posts expressing unity a...
A national study has found that LGBTQIA+ college students living in conservative US states experience poorer mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Colleges are urged to implement inclusive policies and provide resources to support these students.
A new study by Yifan Yu found that certain emotions, like anxiety and love, can make online content spread rapidly, while others, such as anger or sadness, tend to slow it down. The research also showed that demographic groups react differently to different emotional content.
A study reveals how extremist groups exploit video games to recruit and radicalize impressionable users on gaming-adjacent platforms. The research highlights the challenges faced by moderators in detecting and reporting harmful content, and emphasizes the need for better understanding of these platforms and their subcultures.
A new study from Uppsala University shows that short teaching interventions on disinformation have no long-term impact on students' ability to distinguish between credible and misleading news. However, students who valued democratic ideals highly were better at identifying true and false information. The study suggests that isolated le...
Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in safeguarding democracy and ensuring accountability. Whistleblowing contributes to justice and transparency. The CRN41 network explores these issues and advocates for measures to protect civic courage and freedom of expression.
Researchers developed an algorithm that achieves high levels of both accuracy and fairness in detecting toxic speech on social media. The approach uses a fairness measurement called Group Accuracy Parity (GAP) to find desirable combinations of accuracy and fairness for specific situations.
Researchers found that individuals with excessive and dependent social media use are more likely to engage with and believe false information. The study suggests that social media addiction may lead to increased susceptibility to misinformation.
Researchers found that both left- and right-wing users in Japan accepted and propagated pro-China illiberal narratives. The study suggests that cultural aversion to protests distorts understanding of overseas pro-democracy movements, fostering attitudes favorable toward authoritarian systems.
Researchers at the University of Oregon discovered that propaganda campaigns are increasingly used to control and constrain information in China, including natural disaster and public health reporting. On average, at least one front-page article in party newspapers is planted by the state, growing fourfold over a decade.
A study reveals that AI-powered content on a Russian-backed outlet increased publication rate by over 100% and broadened topics, while maintaining persuasive power. The research warns of the urgent need to mitigate AI-assisted propaganda campaigns.
A report by Tel Aviv University highlights the establishment of new museums in Muslim countries, including Indonesia, Dubai, and Albania, which showcase the Holocaust and heroism. These museums provide a counter-narrative to antisemitic propaganda and promote education and awareness about the Holocaust.
A study found that ChatGPT provides higher fatality numbers when asked in Arabic compared to questions in Hebrew, highlighting the impact of user language on information dissemination. The researchers believe this has profound social implications, as it can shape perceptions of conflict and fuel biases.
A study by Technical University of Munich found that Russian social media campaigns had a limited impact on the European public, with most people believing the disinformation being spread. The decisive factor in efficacy was whether a person is fundamentally receptive to conspiracy narratives.
Researchers identify superspreaders of low-credibility content on Twitter, including political pundits and low-credibility media outlets that spread toxic language. The study suggests that these individuals and groups are overlooked by Twitter's algorithm despite being more effective at spreading misinformation.
A new interface developed by researchers at the University of Sydney aims to reduce the spread of misinformation on social media. The tool adds a 'more information' button to posts, linking users to details about retracted science claims, which can help them make informed decisions about their health.
A study published in PNAS Nexus found that AI-generated propaganda was almost as effective as real propaganda in persuading US adults. The research used a large language model to generate new articles based on existing propaganda, with 43.5% of respondents agreeing with the claims after reading the AI-written articles.
Researchers developed a predictive model to detect users and content related to Islamic State extremists on social media, identifying potential propaganda messages and their characteristics. The study's findings can help social media companies and law enforcement agencies track and prevent the spread of extremist propaganda.
A new study by George Washington University researchers predicts an escalation of daily bad-actor AI activity globally by mid-2024, posing a significant threat to election results. The study provides the first quantitative analysis of the misuse of AI for disinformation during elections.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2020-2021 NBA season to investigate how far-right views impact immigrant workplace performance. They found that immigrant players in regions with strong Trump support were more likely to make game errors, while native players in these areas performed better.
A new study analyzes Twitter discussions on deepfakes related to the Russian invasion, highlighting negative reactions and positive sentiments towards deepfakes. The researchers found that some users' distrust in real videos increased after exposure to deepfakes.
Researchers found that Facebook labels reduced users' engagement on social media if they noticed them, particularly for posts from Russia and China. The labels, introduced in 2020, aim to combat propaganda efforts by foreign governments.
A new study by University of East Anglia reveals ChatGPT's systematic left-wing bias, favoring Democrats in the US and Labour Party in the UK. The platform's responses also lean towards President Lula da Silva of Brazil's Workers' Party.
A study presented at Digestive Disease Week found that nearly 40% of TikTok posts about liver disease contain false or misleading information. Inaccurate claims often push fad diets, detox drinks, and herbal remedies as cures, with little engagement compared to accurate posts.
Researchers at the University of South Australia analyzed Instagram fitspiration accounts, finding nearly two-thirds published dubious fitness information. Hyper-sexualized content, objectification, or nudity was present in around a quarter of accounts, promoting unhealthy body shapes and driving body image issues.
A team at the University of Pittsburgh has created a framework to analyze the influence of online conspiratorial content on individuals and communities. The project aims to identify sociodemographic and psychometric factors that contribute to the spread of such messages.
A 2020 survey found that Ukrainians who perceived higher conflict between Ukraine and Russia were more likely to endorse false news about Russia, but less likely to believe false news about the European Union. Conflict perceptions play a significant role in the spread of misinformation.
A new project aims to examine the circulation of newspaper reports on anti-Black violence between 1863 and 1921. The team will use computational methods to trace how stories spread across the country and map their impact, with potential applications for studying other forms of racial violence.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that faces paired with fake news headlines are perceived as trustworthy regardless of disputed labels. The research suggests that long-term perceptions of trustworthiness are more influenced by the content of the headline rather than the label itself.
A linguistic analysis of Nazi propaganda shows that dehumanization of Jews shifted over time, with earlier propaganda focusing on disengaging moral concern and later propaganda portraying Jews as having a greater capacity for agency. This study suggests that dehumanization can motivate violence by reducing moral concern for victim groups.
Researchers created theoretical models to explain geographical clustering of vaccine hesitancy, attributing it to both social selection and social influence. The models found that these two processes independently generate clusters of high hesitancy, with social selection playing a key role when societies trust propaganda.
A study by University of Cambridge researchers found that short animations can help people recognize and resist misinformation. The experiment, conducted on YouTube with over 30,000 participants, suggests a potential solution for fighting disinformation.
The study found that Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and TTP use situational comedy to galvanize curious individuals and emphasize an 'us versus them' mentality. In contrast, ISIS uses dehumanising humour to mock rivals and create a shared identity among followers. This humour helps foster internal cohesion and creates social bonding.
An expert analysis of Russia's foreign policy statements since the USSR collapse finds Putin masking invasion policies with 1990s humanitarian propaganda. The study highlights how the Kremlin has used narratives from the 1990s to claim Russian minorities need protecting with military support.
A study by Yevgeniy Golovchenko examines the effect of a 2017 Ukrainian ban on online activity among Russian social media users. The findings indicate that censorship may not be effective in reducing activity, as users can circumvent bans using VPNs and shift to cheaper alternatives.
Researchers found that smartphone app usage patterns can be used to identify individuals with over 30% accuracy. The study analyzed data from 780 people and showed consistent patterns in application usage behaviors on a day-to-day basis. This highlights the potential risks to privacy when using apps automatically collected by smartphones.
Researchers found AI-synthesized faces to be nearly indistinguishable from real faces and rated as more trustworthy. The study's results have significant implications for the spread of manipulated images, including potential use in revenge porn and propaganda.
A new RAND Corporation report reveals that Facebook users are less apt to press the 'like' button on content when they learn it's part of a foreign propaganda campaign. Researchers found that most users in hyper-partisan news consumer groups reconsider their initial response after source is revealed, with media literacy interventions s...
The COVID-19 pandemic is already influencing terrorism globally, with mixed results on attack levels and increased online extremist activity. Long-term concerns include weakened states' vulnerability to terrorist groups' resurgence.
Archaeologists re-examine the remains of a medieval male found at Prague Castle, who was identified as Viking by Nazis and Slavonic warrior by Soviets. The team analyzes the sword and grave goods to determine his identity, which may have fueled modern political conflicts.
A team of UT researchers will monitor and analyze Russian information warfare tactics, measuring their effectiveness in shaping public opinion in Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The project aims to model relationships between propaganda and opinion, assessing the impact of disinformation campaigns on democratic institutions.
A study by Nicolas Campelo found that married men with children, families with married parents, and individuals experiencing depression or loneliness are more likely to remain radicalized. However, women and those with supportive family backgrounds tend to become less radicalized over time.
Researchers at University of Kent and Copenhagen University link rise in vehicle ramming attacks to social media networks and viral contagion. The study suggests that exposure to these actions through news media and online discussion forums encourages others to engage in similar acts, often with different motives.