The Disinformation Project | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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The Disinformation^[1] Project is an independent research initiative based out of New Zealand, led by social historian Kate Hannah. It is a team of interdisciplinary scholars who are not affiliated with the government. The project’s research is focused on understanding the sources and impacts of misinformation and disinformation in New Zealand society, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The team uses a variety of methods to identify trends in major misinformation events and to explore the role of social media^[2] in increasing vulnerability to unreliable sources. The Disinformation Project advocates for the creation of a shared narrative rooted in trust and cooperation, which can help to enhance social cohesion and historical memory.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ Disinformation ( Disinformation ) Disinformation is a complex concept with roots tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European language family. It refers to the intentional spreading of false or misleading information, often for political or social influence. This phenomenon became widespread in the 1980s and has been a subject of extensive research to understand its origins, methods, and impacts. Disinformation is often used in deception campaigns on social media and is distinct from misinformation and malinformation. It's common in political arenas, where it can confuse citizens and discourage their engagement. Disinformation has global implications, being used by governments, NGOs, and businesses worldwide. It can undermine election security and create societal divisions. Various countermeasures have been initiated by organizations like NATO and the EU to address this issue. The study of disinformation also extends to ethical considerations and its role in warfare. Despite these efforts, disinformation remains a challenging issue due to its widespread prevalence and the difficulty in assessing its true impact.

2. ↑ social media. Social media is a broad term encompassing a variety of digital tools and platforms that facilitate the sharing of information and the creation of virtual communities. Emerging from early systems like PLATO and ARPANET, it has evolved into modern platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer unique features that differentiate them from traditional media, including the ability for users to generate content and engage in dialogic communication. They cater to over 100 million users globally and offer different forms of services, such as messaging apps and collaborative content creation platforms. The use of social media has far-reaching impacts on individuals, society, and businesses, influencing everything from marketing practices to political processes. However, it's also associated with ethical concerns, such as the spread of misinformation and potential addiction.

Glossary

The Disinformation Project (Wikipedia)

The Disinformation Project is a research group studying the effects of disinformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.

The Disinformation Project

Products	Publicly available research, disinformation resources
Country	New Zealand
Key people	Kate Hannah (Director) Sanjana Hattotuwa (Research Director) Nicole Skews-Poole (Director of Communications)
Established	February 2020
Website	thedisinfoproject.org

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