Veteran Disinformation Fighters Launch Indicator, a New Platform for Exposing Digital Deception
In the ever-evolving landscape of misinformation and disinformation, two prominent figures, Craig Silverman and Alexios Mantzarlis, have joined forces to create Indicator, a unique platform dedicated to exposing digital deception. Silverman, renowned for his investigative reporting at BuzzFeed News and ProPublica, has uncovered numerous instances of fake news, platform manipulation, and ad fraud. Mantzarlis, through his work at Poynter, the International Fact-Checking Network, and Cornell Tech, has been a leading voice in combating misinformation. Indicator represents a significant step forward in their shared mission, merging their individual newsletters, "Digital Investigations" and "Faked Up", into a unified resource for investigators, researchers, and the public.
Silverman’s departure from ProPublica to focus on Indicator underscores the urgency of this endeavor. He expressed his deep concern about the manipulation and exploitation of the digital information environment, emphasizing the need for a global perspective. Mantzarlis, likened the collaboration to a musical partnership with a superstar, highlighting Silverman’s pioneering work and generous spirit. Together, they aim to empower a wider community of individuals to identify and counter digital deception.
The launch of Indicator comes at a critical time. The current political climate has seen renewed attacks on journalists and misinformation researchers. The founders observe a shift in the landscape, noting a more organized effort to undermine the concept of misinformation and discredit those working to expose it. This includes a network of actors actively working to dismantle what they perceive as a “censorship cartel,” effectively chilling research and funding efforts.
Furthermore, there’s a growing sense of disengagement from major online platforms. While individual employees continue to address issues like deepfakes and scams, platform leadership appears less committed to combating disinformation. This has resulted in a surge of digital scams, AI-generated misinformation, and the proliferation of conspiracy theories. Silverman and Mantzarlis stress that this isn’t due to public apathy; rather, it’s a politically expedient strategy adopted by tech CEOs.
Indicator aims to address this complex challenge by providing a blend of investigative reporting and practical tools for identifying digital deception. The platform’s target audience includes researchers, investigators, journalists, and anyone concerned about online information quality. While the newsletters previously had different focuses – "Digital Investigations" on tools and "Faked Up" on disinformation – Indicator will offer a balanced approach, covering a wide spectrum of digital deception, from scams and fraud to AI abuse and platform manipulation.
The founders believe that combating digital deception requires empowering individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge. Indicator’s monthly workshops will offer hands-on tutorials and in-depth explanations of investigative techniques, building upon the platform’s published investigations. These workshops are a core component of Indicator’s subscription strategy, providing subscribers with valuable training and insights to navigate the increasingly treacherous online information environment. Topics will range from investigating online reviews and scams to exploring new digital investigation tools and techniques. This direct, interactive approach aims to equip both professionals and the public with the skills they need to identify and address digital deception.
Indicator has chosen Beehiiv as its newsletter platform, citing its functionality and benefits for media organizations. This decision reflects a commitment to utilizing the best available tools to reach a wide audience and maximize the platform’s impact. The founders emphasize their goal of driving positive change by equipping readers with the tools to conduct their own investigations and hold platforms accountable. They are not driven by audience size but rather by the desire to make a tangible difference in the fight against digital deception.