Asymmetric Narrative Warfare
Unraveling the Landscape of Global Information Control
Lying is not a new thing right, putting spin on information is not a new thing, being wrong about something isn’t a new thing.
And intentionally being able to try to control the narrative for purposes narrative warfare and information warfare aren’t new things.
1- Trusted News Initiative (TNI): (I got started on TNI)
https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2020/trusted-news-initiative-vaccine-disinformation
Founded in 2019 to promote freedom of democracy and prevent foreign interference in US elections.
Includes major companies like Google, Facebook, BBC, YouTube, Twitter, New York Times, Microsoft, and Reuters, along with their subsidiaries and mainstream media partners.
Mainstream Media Organizations:
Owned by the six major conglomerates: Time Warner, Viacom, CBS, Disney, National Amusements, and News Corp.
Examples include PBS, CNN, Fox News, NBC, CBS, USA Today, Washington Post, and others.
Purpose of TNI:
Initially introduced to safeguard the 2020 election from foreign interference.
Expanded to tackle "anti-vaccine" narratives on the internet using algorithms and fact-checkers.
Algorithms and Fact-Checkers:
TNI utilizes algorithms to monitor and regulate online content, aiming to suppress information that contradicts their preferred narratives.
Fact-checkers are employed to counter information deemed "disinformation" by the TNI.
Censorship and Control:
Information deemed contrary to TNI's narrative is suppressed and neutralized.
Individuals, including scientists, healthcare providers, and academics, who dissent from the TNI narrative are discredited, doxxed, and deplatformed from social media.
Public Perception and Division:
TNI's efforts create a "virtue signaling" environment where people are conditioned to trust mainstream media and view dissenting voices as wrong or harmful.
This contributes to societal division and a lack of open dialogue.
Funding and Influence:
TNI is partially funded by taxpayers through government channels.
Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in TNI to promote their narratives, as they have a financial stake in the pharmaceutical industry.
Alternative Independent Media:
Encouraged as a solution to counter the TNI's controlled narrative.
Independent media outlets offer unbiased content and diverse perspectives.
2- First Draft
https://firstdraftnews.org/about/
https://sites.brown.edu/informationfutures/
https://www.brown.edu/academics/public-health/home
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0n8am2uBRCDg8-tx6GwNfSqSYlNkGxTc
Step 1: Identify Vaccine Misinformation Narratives
First Draft starts by closely monitoring, investigating, and researching vaccine misinformation narratives. Using a range of tools and methods, the organization analyzes online conversations, search trends, and networked communities in multiple languages, with a focus on English for this specific report. They keep track of the latest and most important misinformation narratives related to Covid-19 vaccines.
Step 2: Compile and Analyze Data on Misinformation
First Draft compiles and analyzes data from various sources, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as disinformation websites like Natural News and InfoWars. They also take note of highly followed right-wing personalities, organizations, and influencers who are amplifying vaccine misinformation. The data helps them understand the scope and impact of the misinformation.
Step 3: Publish Misinformation Reports
First Draft publishes research reports that highlight key trends and insights on vaccine misinformation over specific periods, such as the "Vaccine Misinformation Insights Report: July" and other installments. These reports provide detailed analysis and debunk misconceptions to counter misinformation.
Step 4: Address Specific Vaccine Misinformation Narratives
First Draft addresses specific vaccine misinformation narratives highlighted in their reports. For example, they debunk the false narrative that Covid-19 vaccines are experimental and risky, clarifying that mRNA vaccines do not enter the cell nucleus and alter DNA. They also provide evidence to counter claims about the spike protein and its effect on DNA repair systems.
Step 5: Collaborate with Platforms and Policymakers
First Draft collaborates with platforms, including the Partnership on AI, to explore new frontiers of misinformation labeling. They work to assess opportunities for standardizing the design of misinformation markers and defining metrics to measure their effectiveness. By engaging with platforms and policymakers, First Draft aims to implement effective labeling and transparency measures to combat vaccine misinformation.
Step 6: Provide Guidance to Journalists
First Draft offers guidance to journalists on how to use overlays effectively to prevent the amplification of screenshotted misinformation in their stories. This helps journalists disseminate accurate information while minimizing the spread of misinformation.
Step 7: Educate the Public and Build Expertise
Through their free library of training content, First Draft provides online courses, toolkits, and resources to help both journalists and the public build expertise and stay informed about misinformation. This empowers individuals to identify and counter vaccine misinformation in their communities.
Step 8: Clarify Misconceptions and Provide Accurate Information
First Draft addresses specific misconceptions, such as the false claims about vaccine safety and efficacy. They rely on credible sources like the CDC and FDA to provide accurate information that counters misinformation.
Step 9: Monitor Emerging Threats and Data Deficits
First Draft continuously monitors emerging threats related to vaccine misinformation and data deficits, where demand for credible information is not adequately matched. By identifying these gaps, they can engage in proactive research and messaging to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Step 10: Promote Trust in Vaccines and Institutions
Through their efforts to combat vaccine misinformation, First Draft aims to promote trust in Covid-19 vaccines and the institutions connected to public health. They work to counter misleading narratives that erode trust in vaccination efforts and public health measures.
Overall, First Draft combats vaccine misinformation by employing a comprehensive approach that involves research, data analysis, collaboration, education, and providing accurate information to the public and journalists. Their efforts contribute to creating a safer and more informed digital media and information landscape in the fight against misinformation.
3- Project Origin
Building trust at the origin
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/project/project-origin/
here's a step-by-step description of how Project Origin can combat vaccine misinformation using the information you provided:
Understanding the Challenge: Project Origin recognizes the growing challenge of synthetic media and the potential for media alteration and disinformation. This challenge is particularly pertinent in the context of vaccine misinformation, where manipulated content can spread false narratives about vaccines and their effects.
Provenance for Accountability: Project Origin's core concept is to establish accountability through provenance, which is like a watermark that certifies the original source of the content. This is achieved by creating a digital fingerprint during the media creation process, uniquely identifying each piece of content.
Traditional Media vs. Decentralized Distribution: Traditional media had a linear path from producer to consumer, ensuring limited opportunities for manipulation. However, the internet and social media have introduced a decentralized distribution system, allowing content to be redistributed and altered, leading to the spread of disinformation.
Tools for Content Producers: Project Origin proposes tools that content producers can use during the publication process. These tools create a digital fingerprint for each media item, and as a result, content creators receive a certification of authentication. This certification is stored in a tamper-proof distributed ledger, ensuring its integrity.
Embedding Certification in Media: The certification of authentication obtained by content producers can be embedded directly into the media file before distribution. This embedded certification serves as a marker of authenticity throughout the content's lifecycle.
Verification for Consumers: Consumers play a crucial role in combating vaccine misinformation. When consumers access media content, their web browsers or dedicated applications automatically compare the embedded digital fingerprint with the original stored in the distributed ledger. This comparison leads to a clear indicator of authentication, informing consumers whether the content has been tampered with.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Project Origin recognizes the need for collaboration across the media ecosystem. Content producers, distributors, cloud providers, application developers, and software tools for media editing are all essential partners. The project has already partnered with esteemed organizations like the BBC, CBC / Radio Canada, and The New York Times.
Support from Initiatives: Project Origin is aligned with initiatives like the Trusted News Initiative and the Content Authenticity Initiative. These collaborations ensure a comprehensive approach to combat vaccine misinformation and disinformation related to other topics.
Technical Details and Specification: The technical aspects of attributing and asserting provenance are being developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). This coalition includes industry leaders like Adobe, Arm, BBC, Intel, Microsoft, and Truepic. The group's work includes creating specifications and expanding capabilities to ensure the effectiveness of provenance.
In summary, Project Origin offers a practical solution to combat vaccine misinformation by establishing accountability through provenance. It provides tools for content producers, verification for consumers, and partnerships with key industry players. By embedding certifications of authentication and leveraging distributed ledgers, Project Origin can play a significant role in ensuring the authenticity of media content and preventing the spread of disinformation, including vaccine-related misinformation.
4- Content Authenticity Initiative
https://contentauthenticity.org
here's a step-by-step description of how the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) can combat vaccine misinformation using the information you provided:
Creation with Verifiable Signatures: The CAI employs cryptographic asset hashing to create tamper-evident signatures for digital content, such as images and videos. During the creation process, content creators can choose what information to attach to the content, including preservation of attribution or remaining anonymous. This step ensures that the original content and metadata haven't been altered unknowingly.
Editing with Preserved Metadata: When content is edited using tools like Photoshop, the secure capture metadata is preserved and augmented with a history of any alterations made to the content. This ensures that any changes made to the content are recorded and transparent.
Publishing and Sharing with Metadata Preservation: Through partnerships with news organizations, the CAI ensures that secure capture information and relevant content edits are preserved during the publishing process. Integration with publishers' content management systems (CMS) helps maintain the authenticity of the content. Even when content is shared on social networks, the CAI metadata remains intact.
Viewing Historical Information: As a consumer of digital content, anyone can access historical information about content through the CAI's Verify site. This allows users to verify the authenticity and provenance of the content they are viewing.
Cross-Industry Collaboration: The CAI focuses on cross-industry participation, uniting creators, technologists, journalists, activists, and leaders. This collaborative approach ensures a diverse and broad community working towards content authenticity. Representatives from software, publishing, social media, human rights organizations, photojournalism, and academia collaborate to develop content attribution standards and tools.
Formal Coalition for Standards Development: The CAI, along with Adobe, Arm, BBC, Intel, Microsoft, and Truepic, launched the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). This consortium is dedicated to developing pragmatic and adoptable standards for digital provenance. These standards serve creators, editors, publishers, media platforms, and consumers.
Education and Advocacy: The CAI believes in the importance of media literacy to combat misinformation. The initiative collaborates with education experts to create robust curricular materials. These materials are designed to equip school-age audiences with critical media and visual literacy skills to navigate the digital information landscape. The curricula align with US Common Core State Standards and can be adapted by instructors.
In summary, the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) combats vaccine misinformation by establishing verifiable trust in digital content through a secure workflow. It ensures content authenticity from creation to editing, publishing, and sharing. By preserving metadata and collaborating across industries, the CAI creates a transparent and accountable ecosystem that helps users verify the accuracy and source of the content they consume. The CAI's emphasis on media literacy further equips individuals with the skills needed to navigate and evaluate digital information effectively.
5- Journalism Trust Initiative
https://www.journalismtrustinitiative.org
The Journalism Trust Initiative - A Beacon of Hope for Trustworthy Journalism
In an era marked by information overload, misinformation, and growing mistrust in media, the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) emerges as a ray of hope. Developed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in collaboration with international experts, JTI functions as a structured mechanism to not only address the challenges facing journalism today but also play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of journalistic content.
Restoring Trust in Journalism
The first and foremost challenge that the JTI seeks to address is the diminishing trust in media and journalists. As the digital age ushered in a deluge of information, algorithms often amplified sensationalism, rumors, hate speech, and falsehoods. Opinions and beliefs began to eclipse facts, creating a chaotic information landscape. It became evident that trust in journalism needed to be restored for democracy to thrive.
A Solution Rooted in Ethics
The JTI proposes a clear and structured solution to this problem: rewarding ethical journalistic practices. It operates on a three-step process that starts with media outlets conducting self-assessments. These assessments evaluate transparency, editorial independence, and adherence to professional standards, all critical elements of ethical journalism.
Transparency as the Key
One of the pivotal roles of JTI is to enhance transparency in journalism. After conducting self-assessments, media outlets publish transparency reports that disclose the results of their evaluations. These reports are made available to the public, advertisers, regulators, and other stakeholders. This transparency not only holds media organizations accountable but also fosters informed decision-making among those who rely on news.
Credibility through Certification
The culmination of this process is the certification phase. Independent audits, conducted by accredited certifying bodies, verify compliance with JTI standards. When a media outlet successfully passes this rigorous assessment, it is awarded a Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) certification. This certification serves as a seal of approval, signifying the outlet's dedication to ethical journalism.
Global Participation and Impact
The JTI's impact is not limited to a single region. More than 850 media outlets across 80 countries have embraced the initiative. This global participation underscores the universal recognition of the importance of restoring trust in journalism and promoting ethical practices.
Beyond Rating Individual Content
Importantly, the JTI does not rank or rate individual pieces of content. Instead, it focuses on the overall ethical conduct of media organizations. This approach ensures that freedom of speech remains intact while encouraging a commitment to professional norms.
1. Reinforcing Trustworthiness:
JTI serves as a global benchmark that media outlets can voluntarily adopt to restore trust in journalism.
Through a meticulous self-assessment process, media organizations evaluate their practices, ensuring transparency, editorial independence, and ethical conduct.
This step empowers them to regain public trust by transparently showcasing their commitment to responsible journalism.
2. Promoting Transparency:
Transparency is the cornerstone of JTI. Media outlets publish transparency reports, disclosing the results of their self-assessment to the public.
These reports offer a window into the editorial processes, quality standards, and adherence to professional norms followed by media organizations.
Transparency reports facilitate informed choices by advertisers, regulators, and consumers, reinforcing ethical journalism.
3. Accredited Certification:
JTI certification is the ultimate recognition of a media outlet's dedication to ethical journalism.
Independent certifying bodies, like the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM), conduct rigorous audits to ensure compliance with JTI standards.
Certification not only validates a media outlet's credibility but also provides a competitive edge, emphasizing that trustworthy journalism is a cornerstone of democracy.
In an age where facts are often drowned out by noise, the Journalism Trust Initiative provides a structured framework to elevate the credibility of journalism. By emphasizing transparency, ethical standards, and accountability, the JTI not only restores trust in media but also fortifies the very foundation of democracy—reliance on accurate and reliable information.
As more media outlets join the JTI, and as its impact reverberates across borders, it becomes a beacon of hope for those seeking trustworthy journalism in an information-saturated world. It is a testament to the enduring belief that journalism, when rooted in ethics and transparency, can be a powerful force for good, illuminating the path to informed citizenry and robust democracies.
Description of How Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) Functions:
1. Self-Assessment:
Media outlets interested in obtaining JTI certification begin by conducting a thorough internal review.
During this self-assessment phase, media organizations evaluate their level of transparency, guarantees of editorial independence, and adherence to professional standards.
They use indicators provided by JTI to assess their practices against established norms of ethical journalism.
2. Transparency Report Publication:
After completing the self-assessment, media outlets are required to publish a transparency report.
This report discloses the results of their self-assessment, providing insights into their editorial processes, adherence to professional norms, and commitment to journalistic ethics.
Transparency reports are made available to the public, advertisers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
3. Certification:
Once a media outlet has completed the self-assessment and published its transparency report, it can seek certification through an independent audit.
An accredited certifying body, such as the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) in the United States, conducts the audit to assess compliance with JTI standards.
Upon successful completion of the audit, the media outlet is awarded a Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) certification, signifying their commitment to ethical journalism practices.
6- The Trust Project
Combating Vaccine Misinformation with the Trust Project
Vaccine misinformation, in particular, poses a significant threat to global efforts to combat infectious diseases. Fortunately, organizations like the Trust Project are stepping forward to help mitigate this problem by promoting transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness in journalism.
Here's how the Trust Project can play a crucial role in combating vaccine misinformation.
The Challenge of Vaccine Misinformation
Vaccine misinformation and hesitancy have become a pressing concern worldwide. False claims about vaccine safety, efficacy, and side effects can lead people to make uninformed decisions about their health and the health of their communities. Addressing this issue requires clear and reliable information from trusted sources.
The Role of the Trust Project
The Trust Project, known for its dedication to transparency and trustworthiness in journalism, can play a pivotal role in the fight against vaccine misinformation:
Promoting Credible Sources: The Trust Project encourages news organizations to adopt its Trust Indicators, which provide readers with transparency about the source's commitment to accuracy and ethical reporting. When it comes to vaccine-related news, having these indicators prominently displayed can help readers identify credible sources for information.
Fostering Public Trust: Trust in media is crucial for effective communication about vaccines. News outlets that display Trust Indicators signal their commitment to honesty, accuracy, and fairness. This fosters public trust in the information they provide, including vaccine-related news.
Transparent Reporting: The Trust Project's emphasis on transparency means that news organizations are encouraged to disclose their mission, sources of funding, and the organization behind them. This transparency extends to reporting on vaccine-related topics, ensuring that readers have a clear understanding of the context and motivations behind the news.
Accountability for Errors: One of the Trust Indicators requires news organizations to commit to publishing corrections or clarifications promptly. In the realm of vaccine reporting, this is essential. If misinformation about vaccines is inadvertently published, a commitment to rectify errors is a crucial step toward preventing the spread of false information.
Diverse Perspectives: The Trust Project also encourages news outlets to include a diversity of voices and perspectives. When reporting on vaccines, this can help provide a well-rounded view of the subject, debunking myths and addressing concerns from different angles.
Measurable Impact
Research has demonstrated that the Trust Project's Trust Indicators are effective in increasing trust in news outlets. This impact extends to vaccine-related reporting, where trust is paramount. When readers encounter vaccine-related news from sources displaying Trust Indicators, they are more likely to have confidence in the information presented.
Collaboration with Technology Platforms
The Trust Project collaborates with technology giants like Google and Facebook, which use Trust Indicators to help users differentiate reliable journalism from misinformation. This collaboration ensures that credible vaccine-related news is more accessible and prominently featured on digital platforms.
Below is a step-by-step description of how the Trust Project works to enhance transparency and trust in journalism:
Establishing Trust Indicators:
The Trust Project collaborates with top news organizations and conducts interviews with the public to understand what people value in news and when they trust it.
Defining Trustworthy Journalism:
Based on the insights gathered, the Trust Project defines standards for trustworthy journalism. This includes criteria for accuracy, transparency, fairness, and ethical reporting.
Creating Trust Indicators:
The Trust Project develops the "Trust Indicators," which are eight core disclosures that news organizations can voluntarily adopt. These indicators provide information about the news source, the journalist, and the commitments behind their work.
Voluntary Adoption:
News organizations choose to adopt and display the Trust Indicators on their websites voluntarily. This decision is not mandated but reflects their commitment to transparency and journalistic integrity.
Indicating Transparency:
When readers visit a news website that has adopted the Trust Indicators, they can see these indicators prominently displayed. This transparency helps readers understand the source's commitment to accuracy and ethics.
Combatting Misinformation:
The Trust Project addresses misinformation and disinformation by helping readers access credible news sources. Trust Indicators provide transparency about features that distinguish trustworthy news from other forms of information.
Global Collaboration:
The Trust Project operates internationally and collaborates with news organizations around the world. This global perspective ensures that trustworthiness in journalism is upheld on a broad scale.
Proven Impact:
Research has shown that the presence of Trust Indicators increases trust in news outlets. This impact is measured through surveys and studies that assess the effectiveness of the Trust Project's efforts.
Funding and Technology Partners:
The Trust Project secures funding from philanthropic organizations and collaborates with technology companies like Google, Facebook, and Bing. These partnerships help integrate Trust Indicators into digital platforms, making it easier for users to identify reliable journalism.
Conclusion
Vaccine misinformation is a formidable adversary in the battle against infectious diseases. The Trust Project, with its commitment to transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness in journalism, is a valuable ally in this fight. By promoting credible sources, fostering public trust, and encouraging transparent and accountable reporting, the Trust Project can help ensure that accurate and reliable vaccine-related information reaches the public. In doing so, it contributes significantly to the global effort to combat vaccine misinformation and protect public health.
Other source materiel:
The Corruption of Canada’s CBC: Covid-19 Reporting under the Trudeau Government
Trust in the CBC is on the ropes – an elected oversight board is needed
Veteran Journalist Rodney Palmer Presents On News Gathering vs Propaganda
https://rumble.com/v2fs7u2-rodney-palmer-full-interview-day-1-toronto-national-citizens-inquiry.html
Thanks for this 🙏