Information Integrity in Democracies: Addressing the Threat of Misinformation and Disinformation
The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, often amplified by foreign influence, poses a significant threat to the integrity of information environments in democracies worldwide. Jon Bateman, a Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, testified before the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics, offering insights into the nature of these threats and potential countermeasures. While acknowledging the complexities of the Canadian context, Bateman focused on overarching themes relevant to all democracies grappling with this challenge.
Defining and differentiating these threats presents a fundamental challenge. Misinformation refers to any false claim, while disinformation involves an intentional effort to deceive. Foreign influence is even more nebulous, as it requires judgments about acceptable foreign participation in domestic discourse. While foreign actors often employ mis- and disinformation, they also utilize other tactics like co-optation, coercion, and propaganda. However, it’s crucial to recognize that domestic actors are the primary sources of mis- and disinformation in most democracies, given their numbers, resources, and embeddedness within society.
Determining the veracity of information and acting on those determinations presents further difficulties. Labeling something as mis- or disinformation necessitates invoking an authoritative source of truth, yet disagreements about truth are inherent in democratic societies. Overzealous attempts to regulate information can infringe on democratic norms and erode public trust. Nevertheless, certain malicious falsehoods, like the claim that the 2020 U.S. election was stolen, demonstrably undermine democratic stability and require concerted action.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Bateman and his colleague Dean Jackson surveyed a wide range of countermeasures, from fact-checking to social media algorithm adjustments. Their research revealed no single solution, highlighting the complex interplay of supply and demand factors driving the spread of disinformation. Supply-side factors include the political and commercial incentives to deceive, amplified by modern technology, while demand-side factors involve the psychological appeal of false narratives. Resource constraints, limited knowledge, and political will further complicate policymakers’ efforts.
Despite these challenges, Bateman advocates for a "portfolio approach" involving a diversified mix of policies with varying risk and reward profiles. This approach should incorporate tactical measures, such as fact-checking and content labeling, alongside longer-term structural reforms, like supporting local journalism and promoting media literacy. Fact-checking and content labeling provide relatively well-researched and effective short-term interventions, while investing in local journalism and media literacy offers a more sustainable, albeit longer-term, solution.
Bateman concludes by emphasizing the need for a balanced portfolio of countermeasures. Currently, most democracies underinvest in ambitious structural reforms, focusing primarily on short-term tactical actions. Investing in these more challenging, longer-term solutions, such as revitalizing local journalism and improving media literacy, is crucial for achieving substantial and lasting improvements in information integrity. By addressing these underlying structural issues, democracies can better equip citizens to navigate the complex information landscape and mitigate the harmful effects of mis- and disinformation. This requires a sustained commitment to fostering critical thinking skills, promoting media literacy education, and supporting independent, credible sources of information. Ultimately, a comprehensive and balanced approach, encompassing both immediate actions and long-term reforms, is essential for safeguarding the integrity of information environments in democratic societies.
