Papa Amadou Diagne’s Post

Commentary Magazine: The sad part about the disinformation scam is that disinformation does exist, you just wouldn’t know it by the attempts of progressive political activists who, like Jankowicz, have turned its pursuit into a McCarthyite partisan campaign. Indeed, the entire Israel-Hamas war since Oct. 7 has been infused with reporters’ startlingly unethical allegiance to obvious Hamas propaganda. That propaganda benefits progressive allies of the “disinformationists,” so it gets a pass. As exposed repeatedly at major U.S. outlets, Hamas has created a network of fixers who have used their access to pose as photojournalists and shape the war narrative. Al Jazeera has now been caught credentialing several members of Gaza-based terrorist groups. And influential celebrity pundits like Amanpour have seemingly been successful in pressuring their networks to ease up on the fact-checking process that could filter out Hamas-planted stories. Obviously manipulated casualty statistics put out by Hamas have now made their way into regular media use without the disclaimer that used to accompany them. The filter is gone. The result of all this is the spreading of physical violence against Jews around the world and the corruption of diplomacy by Westerners who have been reading from an Iranian script and occupying college campuses in deference to Iranian militias. It’s fertile soil for aspiring watchdogs and disinformation researchers, if only we could find them.

Why is Russia targeting Africa with disinformation and what does it mean for global democracy? A new piece by Roman Badanin and Yelena V Litvinov on our blog highlights this emerging, under-studied threat to global democracy.

Russian disinformation refers to a range of deceptive or misleading information and narratives spread by Russian actors, often aimed at shaping public opinion, undermining trust in institutions, and creating confusion or division within societies. It can involve a variety of methods, including fake news, altered media, and social media manipulation. The goal of Russian disinformation campaigns typically includes: Destabilization of target countries: By sowing discord and confusion, Russia aims to weaken the political or social fabric of countries, particularly in Europe and the U.S. Influencing elections and political processes: Disinformation can be used to sway public opinion, support certain political candidates, or discredit adversaries. Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. elections is a notable example. Undermining trust in democratic institutions: By promoting false narratives about elections, government actions, or global events, Russian disinformation can make citizens more cynical and less trusting of their governments. Promoting Russian interests: Disinformation is used to enhance Russia’s geopolitical goals, such as justifying its actions in Ukraine or Syria, or supporting pro-Russian factions in other countries. Key tactics employed in Russian disinformation campaigns include: Social Media Manipulation: Using bots, fake accounts, and targeted ads to spread false narratives, amplify divisive content, and polarize societies. State-Controlled Media: Outlets like RT (Russia Today) and Sputnik News often present distorted versions of events that align with Russian interests, while framing Western countries as hypocritical or corrupt. Fake News Websites: Disinformation can spread through websites that look credible but are ultimately designed to promote false information, conspiracy theories, and alternative narratives. Hacking and Leaking Information: In some cases, Russian groups have hacked political or governmental institutions, then selectively released documents to create chaos or embarrass targets. These activities are often difficult to trace directly back to Russian government agencies, as they may involve a mix of state actors, private organizations, and independent individuals. However, the patterns and goals of these campaigns often point back to strategic interests aligned with Russian state policies. Russian disinformation has been an ongoing issue in many countries, and countermeasures, such as increased media literacy, regulatory efforts, and cross-border cooperation, have been employed to mitigate its effects.

In a democratic state, the media must operate freely and safely. The ongoing conflict in Gaza over the past year has crossed numerous red lines, leading to an increasingly alarming situation. The recent harrowing images of individuals burning alive serve as a stark reminder of the horrors unfolding there. Currently, information coming from Gaza primarily comes from Al Jazeera journalists and local Palestinian outlets such as Watan TV, Ajyal Radio, and Wafa News, all of whom have become primary targets of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This raises critical questions about the absence of other independent international media outlets. Major organizations like the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, BBC, CNN, The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Washington Post have reported that NO independent media access to Gaza has been permitted since the onset of the war. This restriction not only pressures domestic journalists but also fosters an environment ripe for misinformation and disinformation. On July 11, 2024, more than 70 media and civil society organizations signed an open letter urging Israel to grant journalists independent access to Gaza. This collective call highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in reporting from the region. Is this acceptable? The lack of free and independent media access in Gaza is a troubling indication that Israel is falling short of its democratic ideals. We must advocate for the protection of press freedom and the vital role it plays in ensuring accountability and transparency in conflict situations.  

Imagine a coup orchestrated not with tanks, but with tweets. In Niger, a carefully crafted online disinformation campaign, orchestrated by Russia and fueled by AI-generated fake news, helped topple a president. This wasn't an isolated incident. Across Africa, a "fake content industry" is manipulating information, blurring truth and eroding trust in institutions. Weakened media and declining press freedom create fertile ground for these campaigns, putting upcoming elections at risk. But there's hope. By quantifying news credibility, we can empower citizens to be discerning consumers of information and incentivise publishers to prioritize real journalism. Can Africa fight back against the shadow coup of disinformation? Nnaemeka Ohamadike https://lnkd.in/g7JXr2bf

Today, on the UN International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian People, it is fitting to highlight some of the key findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan.   In her recent report “Global threats to freedom of expression arising from the conflict in Gaza”, Khan examines the war’s impact on freedom of expression globally and how it has led to “an extensive pattern of unlawful, discriminatory and disproportionate restrictions on advocacy for the rights of Palestinian people”.   This, according to Khan, has unleashed “a global crisis of freedom of expression” in which Palestinian voices are suppressed in a discriminatory and disproportionate manner.   In her report, the Special Rapporteur calls on states, social media companies and other private actors to “reject double standards on human rights” and makes recommendations for them to uphold the right to freedom of opinion and expression.   For example, states must refrain from blanket prohibitions of demonstrations, slogans, symbols or other forms expression in support of the Palestinian people. As for companies, they should address “the overenforcement of Palestine-related content”. And, with the ICJ’s order from January on the plausibility of an imminent risk of genocide in Gaza in mind, they should “be vigilant about their own liability and ensure appropriate policies and processes to remove content with genocidal intent.”   In addition to her broader perspective on the war’s effect on freedom of expression globally, Khan – just as IMS has done consistently and frequently over the past 14 months – emphasises how the war’s unprecedented level of journalist killings, attacks on media infrastructure and restrictions on foreign media have affected the right to information of people in Gaza and audiences globally.   With Khan’s contention in mind that silencing journalists by killing them is the most egregious form of censorship, we once more call on all responsible actors to demand of Israel that it immediately cease its targeting of journalists and other civilians and allow foreign media into Gaza. Moreover, we call on those same actors to remove any unlawful restrictions on Palestinian voices and perspectives within their own borders. Read the Special Rapporteur's full report here: https://lnkd.in/dj8ECidY Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Today is the International Day for Solidarity with the Palestinian People. At IMS, we’re taking the opportunity to spotlight the report “Global threats to freedom of expression arising from the conflict in Gaza” recently issued by Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.   In her report, Khan describes a double crisis of freedom of expression: The silencing of journalists in Gaza combined with the suppression of Palestinian voices globally.   With regard to the former – the silencing of journalists in Gaza – the Special Rapporteur contends that there is “serious concern” that the pattern of killings and arbitrary detention of journalists and destruction of press facilities indicates a “deliberate strategy” by the Israeli military to “silence critical reporting and obstruct documentation of possible international crimes.”   As for the latter – the suppression of Palestinian voices globally – Khan concludes that the war has exacerbated an already existing pattern of “unlawful, discriminatory and disproportionate restrictions and repression of freedom of expression, primarily of Palestinian activists and their supporters in Western Europe and North America.”   The report’s importance cannot be overstated. On this day, reading into it and sharing it can be considered an act of solidarity.   https://lnkd.in/dB8GeK-e

Like the natural world, liberal democratic societies only thrive through contest. More public debate is needed. .:. The media’s role is to hold officials accountable, to scrutinize their policies and decisions, and to ask the tough questions that demand substantive answers. This means refusing to accept vague, unsupported statements and instead demanding critical reporting, analysis, and commentary. The media’s function in a democracy is twofold. First, it ensures that leaders act in the public’s best interests. Second, it forces those in power to challenge their own assumptions, question prevailing narratives, and continually reassess their strategies. This constant scrutiny helps prevent groupthink and complacency. Perhaps if we, as journalists, had pushed back against the widespread belief that Hamas was deterred, the IDF might have conducted a more thorough review of its intelligence and policies. If we had insisted on better answers than just “they are deterred,” the government might have felt compelled to hold serious discussions about Gaza and to pressure the IDF and the Shin Bet to reassess their conclusions. I write this not because I believe the IDF or the government deliberately mislead the public, but because unchallenged assumptions lead to mistakes. The media’s role is to question authority, to challenge the status quo, and to act as a safeguard against errors in judgment. When we fail in this responsibility, we enable flawed policies to go unexamined, creating the conditions for disasters like October 7. Unfortunately, the Israeli media today are weak and struggle to fulfill their mission. While these challenges are real, they do not absolve the media – owners and journalists – of their responsibility. The press must rise above these obstacles to fulfill its vital civic duty. The Israeli media should refuse to attend unsourced briefings where officers can make unverifiable claims without accountability. Yet, once again, stories based on anonymous “officials,” “officers,” and “sources” dominated the news. As someone who spent a decade as a military reporter, I understand the challenges of getting military officers to speak on the record. But after 15 months of war, it should be clear what happens when journalists fail at their jobs. Has there been any soul-searching within the media? Unfortunately, no. Journalists are quick to demand that Netanyahu appoint a state commission of inquiry or call for IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi to step down, but they rarely turn the lens inward. Do they genuinely believe they bear no responsibility for the misconceptions that led to October 7? All of us in the media were complicit. As we enter a new year, it is time to create a new media culture in Israel – one that not only has the tools to do its job but also the resolve to fulfill its democratic role. It is time for journalists to move beyond repeating official narratives and to genuinely speak truth to power. .:.

Ukraine's information space faces significant challenges beyond government policies and Ukrainian-language media, TV, radio and internet, which often fail to focus on Ukraine-centric narratives. Despite the shift in public sentiment towards Russia due to the invasion, Ukraine remains intertwined with the Russian information sphere. This connection is largely beyond state control and linked to the national consciousness and civic responsibility of its society, particularly journalists and media managers. Many Ukrainian media professionals, who appear as national advocates during their professional hours, often double as bloggers in their personal time, frequently utilizing Russian-language platforms like blogs and YouTube. While this could be used for counter-propaganda targeting external Russian-speaking audiences, many simply cater to familiar audiences without challenging Russian narratives. The lack of a cohesive Ukrainian information space has hindered efforts to strengthen Ukraine's information sovereignty. This environment discourages discussions on forming a Ukraine-centric media system, essential for winning the information war which is crucial for military success. Ukraine's struggle in the information war reflects deeper societal issues. To secure victory and progress, Ukraine needs media that fosters societal maturity and responsibility. The transformation into a sovereign media space is vital for Ukraine's development and role in global politics.

As a Digital Communication, Information and Media (DCIM) minor, my #DCIMCapstone project revolves around the erasure of important global conflicts and social issues. One of the articles I found goes into the apparent biases in media coverage due to the “media reliance on profitability” that “perpetuates prejudice,” specifically concerning conflicts worldwide. The main example used within the article is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how most journalists lean toward reporting in a way that “confirms people’s emotions” over staying impartial. This way of journalism is what brings in more profit for journalists. It begs the question: how have these biases affected the information we receive through the media regarding certain socio-global conflicts? How has news translated or been mistranslated through social media platforms rather than news outlets? https://lnkd.in/e2eJzy9J