Spreading Disinformation from a Powerful Platform

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It is one thing for the average citizen parsing the news on social media platforms, perhaps going a bit too far in opining their version of fact or fiction, but quite another for someone with the wealth and powerful platform that is Elon Musk’s to foment disinformation in the midst a horrible humanitarian crisis with worldwide implications. According to many reports, Musk posted on X a recommendation to follow an outlet, known for its disinformation, for Israeli/Hamas coverage (which he later retracted). Furthermore, he did nothing to correct disinformation posted on X, bolstered by recently implemented algorithms, a wonky source “verification” system, and the removal of captions from links. I needed to stop myself from copying and posting every word from the transcript of a recent Brian Lehrer of WNYC interview with Wired reporter David Gilbert, not wanting to disturb a word of the flow. For decades, I have listened to the radio station (WNYC), the journalist (Brian Lehrer), the production crew (that of The Brian Lehrer show) all work hard to represent both sides of issues, no matter how politically delicate things may get for them. Granted, Lehrer’s political leanings are at times evident when he tries to take apart an extreme opinion with which he doesn’t agree, but at least he and his production crew can get alternative opinions on the phone lines. They also get world-renowned experts, such as Gilbert, at critical times. When the news of attacks on Israel broke, it was quite evident that no one news outlet was able to cover the situation quickly, given the logistics. A few days went by, and horrifying stories and images emerged. However, even those that filtered through to the press and making their way into President Biden’s speech addressing the conflict were often old or otherwise inaccurate. What was slightly buried in the headlines, is that the EU entity that has been following Musk’s disinformation tactics issued a warning to him that, as described by Wired’s Gilbert, was shrugged off by Musk. In conclusion, Gilbert opines that no one is willing to directly challenge Musk and that “people just do not trust the media anymore” as part of U.S. and worldwide populist agendas with the main tenet of promoting that concept…

Comments

  1. Natalie StansburyOctober 16, 2023 at 3:36 PM

    Being in the midst of this world of mis and disinformation angers and frustrates me so much. And knowing something as ridiculous as a video game can be taken for reality is just insane. But I think what gets to me more than anything is that "freedom of speech' has become the excuse to let it happen. Not just in the US but all over the world. I also find myself wondering what we have come to that so many people fall into the pit of falsities. I do not have a twitter/X account (actually I think I made one years ago but have never used it) but I do have Facebook and Instagram. And on those platforms, there is only one fight I am willing to take on. I know I have annoyed others in the past, and have even heard the "it was just a joke" thrown at me. There is only so much we can do, but I believe firmly that it is the job of libaries both in and out of schools as well as teachers to take hold of this issue and push it. If someone doesn't teach it, how will others learn? Since we have this "freedom of speech" excuse, punishment of X, or Facebook or any other platform, isn't going to be the way to fight dis and misinformation. instead we need to arm users with the tools to fight it themselves.

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  2. Ellen DooleyOctober 17, 2023 at 8:34 PM

    Yesterday it caught my attention when the writer Lawrence Wright was talking about issue that Texas could work on to become a better state, having already stated that he strives to support both major political parties in his work and expressing dismay for culture wars: "We need to, you know, create a path through the problems that beset America, such as climate change and health care. We can do that. It's just that we haven't addressed it. And that's where I hope that - if readers in Texas take a message - an author's message from it, I hope that's the one that they get." I particularly like his phrasing, ""create a path", which is what you, many other teachers, and librarians are trying to do.
    https://www.npr.org/2023/10/16/1206123344/mr-texas-author-lawrence-wright-takes-on-the-colorful-world-of-lone-star-politic

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