Investigators from the Computational Propaganda Lab at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, in partnership with the National Democratic Institute, will present the latest research about the manipulation of public opinion over social media. We invite members of the news media, policy makers, foundations, and civic groups to a closed meeting in Washington, DC. This briefing will help ground a group conversation about the prospects for improving deliberative democracy and include a first look at the most recent research findings from a series of country specific case studies. 

The launch will include an executive summary by the lead investigators, comments by specific case study authors, and an open Q&A session with attendees, moderated by NDI. This case studies series focuses on the spread of computational propaganda in nine countries, including several with recent or upcoming elections: Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Poland, Russia, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the United States. Each case study involves an investigation of digital misinformation in domestic politics, with particular attention to the role of automated and algorithmic manipulation. We will present a summary of the findings from one or two country cases, and offer some conclusions on the impact of these trends on public life. 

About Disinformation Week

#DisinfoWeek is a week-long set of strategic dialogues on how to collectively address the global challenge of disinformation. The week will feature events in Palo Alto, CA and Washington, DC from June 19-30, 2017, convening both US and European policymakers, tech companies, civil society, and members of think tanks, academia, and media to discuss strategies for collectively addressing the global challenge of digital disinformation. The discussion will be moderated by Disinfoweek's partners: The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI); the Atlantic Council; Stanford University Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law; Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung; the Oxford Internet Institute; First Draft Coalition; Jigsaw; and the Hewlett Foundation. Visit www.disinfoweek.org for more information.

About the Project on Computational Propaganda

This large social data science project began research in 2014. It has been ahead of the curve in tracking the impact of bots, fake news, and algorithmic manipulation on democracy. Our evidence base includes big data analysis of Twitter content, network analysis of public Facebook pages, and over 100 interviews with hackers, bot writers, and political operatives around the world. Our work has been driving public conversations about the causes, consequences, and solutions to these problems, with coverage on CBS 60 Minutes, ABC Nightline and in the New York Times. This group briefing will provide an opportunity to ask direct questions about the evidence and trends. 

Contact

Research briefings will be offered in three cities: London on June 19, Washington DC on June 20, and Palo Alto on June 22. Please contact Samuel Woolley ([email protected]) or call +1-760-638-1500 to RSVP or inquire about invitations to other events.