This is a new opinion piece by https://martinmckee.bsky.social, me and Kent Buse on the weaponisation of disinformation in the presidential campaign and why it matters for all of us
Here I set out a thread covering the main points. Please share! 1/13
Here I set out a thread covering the main points. Please share! 1/13
Reposted from
The BMJ
"If you control enough of the information ecosystem, truth no longer matters."
Disinformation has far reaching implications for society, including health.
@martinmckee.bsky.social, @chrischirp.bsky.social, and Kent Buse outline the challenges and propose a way forward
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
Disinformation has far reaching implications for society, including health.
@martinmckee.bsky.social, @chrischirp.bsky.social, and Kent Buse outline the challenges and propose a way forward
www.bmj.com/content/387/...
Comments
It's not just the speed with which it travels - it's the deliberate exploitation of human behaviour and the power of money to create an information ecosystem 3/13
Bad actors then pump out disinformation knowing the algorithms will help them. 4/13
And disinformation & hate have proliferated. 5/13
X's algorithm prioritised Republican over Democrat content. 6/13
Plus this stuff works. Starting from a single anger-inducing disinformation video, radicalisation can happen remarkably quickly.
We saw Musk self-radicalise on Twitter over recent years. 7/13
Probably because they can use the very same channels to amplify their own propaganda as necessary to try and sway public opinion.
Scary times indeed.
In my view the BMJ spreads disinformation about trans people, and it has blocked trans academics/researchers from publishing critiques of the discredited Cass Review.
They are as guilty of weaponising disinformation as Trump.
People may organise around a political issue, and once they begin organising, they become a political force.
So the issue must be undermined.