Countering disinformation in the United States

In American politics, disinformation has a long tradition, but its corrosive effects have only recently become a salient political issue. The spread of disinformation is intensified as consumers shift their news consumption from local outlets to large online platforms with little moderation and oversight. The author from the BFNA discusses potential remedies to the challenges described. Among the myriad technological solutions available, more effective algorithms to remove false and harmful content and demonetarisation of online disinformation are featured as examples. In addition, media literacy is put forward as a foundational method. While comprehensive and complementary policies may be able to alleviate the adverse impact of disinformation, polarised politics and the advent of AI compound the threat.  

This report is part of an international research series conducted under the theme “strengthening democracy, countering disinformation”, commissioned and supported by the Upgrade Democracy team between 2023-2024.