‘Fake news’ is not new. In fact, the recorded history of ‘disinformation wars’ dates back to ancient Rome. But the 21st century has seen the weaponization of information on an unprecedented scale. Powerful new technology makes the manipulation and fabrication of content simple, and social networks dramatically amplify falsehoods peddled by anti-democratic governments, populist politicians and dishonest corporate entities.
We now inhabit a world where malicious actors and state propagandists can use ‘computational propaganda,’ ‘sock-puppet networks,’ ‘troll armies,’ and technology that can mimic legitimate news websites and seamlessly manipulate audio and video to impersonate legitimate sources. Then, there are the profiteers making a living from creating fraudulent content for viral distribution on social platforms. Combined, these developments present an unprecedented threat level that sees journalists and their work turned into targets.
The emerging ‘information arms race’ is a big story. But it is important to understand the historical context when examining and reporting on contemporary manifestations of the 21st century phenomenon of ‘information disorder.’
A new resource published by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) – A short guide to the history of 'fake news' and disinformation – plots the evolution of the current crisis on an international timeline, highlighting historic moments stretching from Cleopatra to Cambridge Analytica. We encourage anyone who uses the learning module to augment this timeline with examples from their own country’s history, adding new entries as the crisis – and defensive responses to it – evolve.
The guide also includes examples of good practice, suggested exercises, readings and assignments to help deepen understanding and aid nuanced reporting on ‘fake news.’ It is designed as a learning module for journalists, journalism trainers and educators, and it is intended for use in news organizations, media development courses, and journalism schools. We hope it will also be a valuable resource for teachers of media literacy and communications researchers – as well as an informative read for anyone interested in the evolution of the disinformation crisis now threatening open societies around the world.
About the authors
Julie Posetti is Senior Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, where she leads the Journalism Innovation Project. She is author of Protecting Journalism Sources in the Digital Age and co-editor of the forthcoming UNESCO handbook: Journalism, ‘Fake News’ and Disinformation. You can follow her on Twitter @JuliePosetti.
Alice Matthews is a news and current affairs journalist at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in Sydney. Follow her on Twitter at @AlicekMatthews.
"Habari bandia" si jambo jipya. Kwa kweli, historia iliyoandikwa ya "vita vya habari bandia" inatokana na Roma ya kale. Lakini karne ya 21 imeona silaha ya habari kwa kiwango kisichokumbukwa. Teknolojia mpya za nguvu hufanya udanganyifu na utengenezaji wa yaliyomo kuwa rahisi, na mitandao ya kijamii inaongeza sana uwongo unaozalishwa na serikali za kupinga demokrasia, wanasiasa wa watu na mashirika yasiyo ya uaminifu. Sasa tunaishi katika ulimwengu ambapo watendaji wenye madhara na watangazaji wa serikali wanaweza kutumia "propaganda ya kompyuta", "mitandao ya wanasesere wa soksi", "majeshi ya troll", na teknolojia ambayo inaweza kuiga tovuti halali za habari na kwa urahisi kudhibiti sauti na video kuiga vyanzo halali. Kisha, kuna wale wanaopata faida kwa kutengeneza maudhui ya udanganyifu kwa ajili ya usambazaji wa virusi kwenye majukwaa ya kijamii. Pamoja, maendeleo haya yanaonyesha kiwango cha tishio kisichokumbukwa ambacho huona waandishi wa habari na kazi yao ikigeuzwa kuwa malengo. "Mshindano wa silaha za habari" unaojitokeza ni hadithi kubwa. "Hata hivyo, ni muhimu kuelewa muktadha wa kihistoria wakati wa kuchunguza na kuripoti juu ya maonyesho ya kisasa ya ""kosa la habari"" la karne ya 21, rasilimali mpya iliyochapishwa na Kituo cha Kimataifa cha Waandishi wa Habari (ICFJ) ""Mwongozo mfupi wa historia ya habari bandia na habari bandia"" inaonyesha mageuzi ya sasa kwenye mstari wa wakati wa kimataifa, ikikazia wakati wa kihistoria kutoka Cleopatra hadi Cambridge Analytica." Tunahimiza mtu yeyote ambaye anatumia moduli ya kujifunza kuongeza mstari huu wa wakati na mifano kutoka kwa historia ya nchi yao wenyewe, akiongeza viingilio vipya wakati mgogoro <unk> na majibu ya ulinzi kwa <unk> kuibadilika. Mwongozo huo pia unajumuisha mifano ya mazoezi mazuri, mazoezi yaliyopendekezwa, usomaji na kazi za kusaidia kuimarisha uelewa na kusaidia ripoti za habari bandia, na imeundwa kama moduli ya kujifunza kwa waandishi wa habari, waalimu wa uandishi wa habari na waalimu, na imekusudiwa kutumika katika mashirika ya habari, kozi za maendeleo ya vyombo vya habari na shule za uandishi wa habari. Tunatumaini pia itakuwa rasilimali muhimu kwa walimu wa ujuzi wa vyombo vya habari na watafiti wa mawasiliano - na pia kusoma kwa habari kwa mtu yeyote anayependezwa na mageuzi ya mgogoro wa habari bandia ambayo sasa inatishia jamii wazi ulimwenguni kote. Julie Posetti ni mwanachama mwandamizi wa utafiti katika Taasisi ya Reuters ya Utafiti wa Uandishi wa Habari katika Chuo Kikuu cha Oxford, ambapo anaongoza Mradi wa Uvumbuzi wa Uandishi wa Habari. Yeye ni mwandishi wa kulinda vyombo vya habari katika enzi ya digital na mhariri mwenza wa kitabu cha UNESCO: Uandishi wa habari, habari bandia na disinformation. Unaweza kumfuata kwenye Twitter @JuliePosetti. Alice Matthews ni mwandishi wa habari na masuala ya sasa katika Shirika la Utangazaji la Australia (ABC) huko Sydney. Mfuateni kwenye Twitter @AliceMathieu