Indicator: A New Beacon in the Chaotic Information Ecosystem
The online world is increasingly awash in a deluge of artificial intelligence-generated content, from the bizarre to the malicious. Deepfake scams, misinformation campaigns, and ubiquitous spam contribute to a hostile digital environment where discerning truth from falsehood has become a constant challenge. Fact-checkers are under attack, academics researching misinformation face intimidation and funding cuts, and even journalists find themselves marginalized. Social media platforms, with their nascent Community Notes features, often leave users adrift in this turbulent digital sea. Into this chaotic landscape steps Indicator, a new digital outlet founded by seasoned fact-checking and digital investigation experts Alexios Mantzarlis and Craig Silverman. This free weekly newsletter, hosted on Beehiiv, aims to equip readers with the tools and knowledge to navigate the online world and investigate suspicious content themselves. Indicator also offers monthly training workshops for paid subscribers, seeking to empower both professionals and everyday citizens.
Mantzarlis, director of the Security, Trust, and Safety Initiative at Cornell Tech, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as director of the International Fact-Checking Network and at Google. Silverman, formerly of ProPublica, BuzzFeed, and other media outlets, has a distinguished track record of investigative journalism, including groundbreaking work exposing fake news operations. The combined expertise of these two individuals forms the foundation of Indicator’s mission to demystify the current information environment. Their initiative is driven by the urgent need to address the escalating challenges posed by AI-generated content and the erosion of trust in traditional sources of information. They recognize a crucial moment for intervention, as the field of digital deception detection faces increasing pressures and the technological landscape rapidly evolves.
Indicator’s target audience is broad, encompassing professional fact-checkers, open-source intelligence (OSINT) practitioners, journalists, trust and safety professionals working at platforms, academics, and, importantly, engaged citizens seeking to understand the online world around them. The founders recognize the growing need for individuals to develop resilience and critical thinking skills in the face of rampant misinformation and manipulation. Their goal is to empower these individuals with the knowledge and tools to effectively investigate online content and separate fact from fiction. This includes not only debunking specific instances of misinformation but also exposing the underlying mechanics and motivations behind these campaigns.
A key element of Indicator’s approach is its commitment to transparency. Mantzarlis and Silverman believe in showing their work, detailing the tools and techniques they use in their investigations, and making these resources available to their audience. This transparency serves to build trust and empower readers to conduct their own investigations. This approach aims to foster a community of informed citizens who can actively contribute to a healthier information ecosystem. They see this transparency as a crucial component in rebuilding trust, particularly in an era where skepticism towards journalists and fact-checkers is prevalent.
The founders of Indicator are acutely aware of the challenges facing the information ecosystem. Silverman describes the current environment as "chaotic," highlighting the deliberate destabilization and promotion of deception. He emphasizes the growing influence of extreme actors who exploit algorithms and often align with platform owners’ political or economic interests. Mantzarlis expresses his aversion to the term "post-truth," arguing that it implies a previous golden age of truth in politics, which never existed. He prefers to characterize the current online information landscape as "post-idealistic" or "cynical," lamenting the loss of the early internet’s promise of democratic discourse and open exchange of ideas.
Both founders express surprise at the effectiveness of pushback against efforts to combat misinformation, particularly the successful labeling of researchers and fact-checkers as negative forces. They worry about the chilling effect this has on vital research and the potential for increased financial harm to individuals through scams. Silverman underscores the growing threat posed by international scammer networks targeting Americans’ savings, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this escalating problem. Indicator’s mission, therefore, extends beyond simply debunking misinformation; it aims to empower individuals to protect themselves from the tangible financial consequences of online deception.
Indicator’s ambitions are rooted in the belief that small, focused media organizations can play a significant role in the current information landscape. They envision a sustainable publication with a dedicated community that benefits both personally and professionally from its content. Their goal is to build a self-sustaining platform that can support their work, potentially allowing for future expansion. They see this as a viable model for independent media focused on a specific mission and serving a clearly defined audience. This focus allows them to tailor their content and resources to the particular needs of individuals navigating the complexities of online information.
For those navigating the treacherous waters of the online world, Mantzarlis and Silverman offer practical advice. Mantzarlis stresses the importance of establishing a "safe sentence" with loved ones to verify identity in case of potential scams or emergencies. Silverman advocates for slowing down and resisting the pressure of manufactured urgency online. He encourages individuals to recognize their emotional reactions to information and avoid impulsive clicking, sharing, or decision-making. This mindful approach to online engagement can significantly reduce vulnerability to manipulation and deception.
Their advice to journalists considering independent ventures emphasizes the importance of identifying a niche and building a community around it. Focus and a dedicated audience willing to support the work are crucial for success in the current media landscape. They also highlight the value of partnerships and collaboration, emphasizing the benefits of shared workload and diverse perspectives. Ultimately, Indicator represents a response to the urgent need for reliable guidance and practical tools in an increasingly deceptive online environment. By empowering both professionals and everyday citizens, they aim to foster a more informed and resilient online community capable of navigating the complexities of the digital age.
