How the U.S. Combats Disinformation

TL;DR

The U.S. combats disinformation with a multifaceted strategy.

Transcript

NOSSEL: Thanks so much. Hello, everyone. Great to  see you and glad to be here. I’m Suzanne Nossel. I’m the chief executive of PEN America, and I’m  delighted to be presiding over today’s discussion with Undersecretary Liz Allen. Everyone has  her bio. And so we’re going to kick it off, and I’m really looking forward to an important  conversation o... Read More

Key Insights

• Disinformation is viewed as a national security issue, requiring a holistic approach involving foreign policy and domestic resilience.
• The U.S. cannot control the supply of disinformation due to First Amendment rights, so it focuses on resilience and countering narratives.
• The State Department employs a three-part strategy: disincentivizing disinformation, promoting truthful information, and enhancing audience resilience.
• Tech companies play a crucial role in combating disinformation, but government regulation is limited to avoid infringing on free speech.
• AI presents both challenges and opportunities in the fight against disinformation, with potential for both spreading falsehoods and enhancing communication strategies.
• International collaboration is essential, with the U.S. signing MOUs with allies to tackle disinformation globally.
• Local news and media literacy are critical in building information resilience, as they are trusted sources and can educate the public.
• The U.S. government is under-resourced compared to adversaries like China and Russia, necessitating strategic partnerships and innovative solutions.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the U.S. government's strategy for combating disinformation?

The U.S. government employs a three-part strategy to combat disinformation: disincentivizing the spread of false information, promoting truthful and reliable content, and enhancing the resilience of audiences to discern credible information. This approach involves international collaboration and leveraging tech companies' platforms.

Q: How does the U.S. government collaborate with tech companies in addressing disinformation?

The U.S. government collaborates with tech companies by sharing information on foreign malign influence and disinformation campaigns, allowing companies to enforce their own terms of service. The government invites tech companies to improve transparency and content moderation without compelling them, respecting free speech rights.

Q: What role does AI play in the disinformation landscape?

AI plays a dual role in the disinformation landscape. It poses a challenge by enabling the creation and spread of synthetic and manipulated content. However, AI also offers opportunities to enhance strategic communication, such as language translation and media monitoring, which can improve information dissemination and resilience.

Q: How does the U.S. government address disinformation on closed messaging platforms?

The U.S. government tackles disinformation on closed messaging platforms, like WhatsApp, by launching commercial channels to disseminate accurate information. This approach aims to counter false narratives circulating in private networks, particularly in regions affected by migration disinformation.

Q: What is the significance of international collaboration in combating disinformation?

International collaboration is crucial in combating disinformation, as it allows the U.S. to work with allies to address the global threat. The U.S. has signed multiple MOUs with partner countries, facilitating joint efforts in countering disinformation and promoting information integrity across borders.

Q: How does media literacy contribute to combating disinformation?

Media literacy is vital in combating disinformation by educating individuals to critically assess the information they consume. The U.S. government supports media literacy initiatives, particularly in collaboration with international partners, to empower audiences to recognize and resist false narratives.

Q: What challenges does the U.S. face in addressing disinformation compared to adversaries like China and Russia?

The U.S. faces challenges in addressing disinformation due to being out-resourced by adversaries like China and Russia, who invest heavily in information operations. The U.S. must rely on strategic partnerships, leveraging its values of truth and credibility, and innovative solutions to counter these well-funded adversaries.

Q: How does the U.S. government ensure its credibility in the information space?

The U.S. government ensures its credibility by focusing on truthful and results-oriented communication, addressing the gap between rhetoric and tangible outcomes. By working with influential voices and emphasizing personal storytelling, the U.S. aims to convey the benefits of its foreign policy priorities effectively.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The U.S. government views disinformation as a national security threat and employs a comprehensive strategy involving disincentivizing disinformation, promoting truthful content, and enhancing audience resilience. The approach is holistic, involving foreign policy and domestic measures.

• The role of tech companies is crucial in combating disinformation, but government regulation is limited to avoid infringing on free speech rights. Instead, the U.S. focuses on collaboration with tech companies and international partners to address the issue.

• AI presents both challenges and opportunities in the fight against disinformation. While AI can facilitate the spread of false narratives, it also offers tools for improving communication and information dissemination. The U.S. government is working to harness AI's potential for positive impact.