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    propaganda aggregators and gatekeepers Archived Message

    Posted by margo on July 12, 2019, 11:51 am

    First Draft News? Funded by USA, the question to ask is what exactly does this very well-funded group regard as "mis- and disinformation" and what are they imparting to the journalists they are "training" around the world. First Draft News has a veneer of respectability and is talked up by big media platforms as if it's a gold standard in neutrality

    Info:
    Previous Message

    First Draft News is "a project to fight mis- and disinformation online founded in 2015 by nine organisations brought together by Google NewsLab.
    It includes Facebook, Twitter, Open Society Foundations and several philanthropies (eg Ford Foundation, Craig Newmark foundation etc)

    "It co-ordinates efforts between newsrooms, fact checking organisations and academic institutions. [shows people] how to spot fake footage and hoaxes".


    Almost amusing to follow First Draft @firstdraftnews and see what a fine line they have to walk as they try to ringfence certain narratives and prevent eyes being opened by the targeted 'alternative' sites.
    As a hypothetical example, let's say they want to suggest (for example) that Robert Stuart's work is 'fake news' but everytime they point that out they give Stuart publicity and lead more and more people to read Stuart's work... scoring own goals.

    eg
    Previous Message


    @firstdraftnews

    "How do you think newsrooms should navigate the relationship between SEO and disinformation?

    Should they:
    - Report on the 'bad' site, but avoid providing any links
    - Report on the site but use 'nofollow' links
    - Avoid reporting on the site, period.

    First Draft will discuss this issue at our upcoming Standard Sessions in London, New York and Sydney, taking place over the next two weeks. ..Join leading editors and journalists in a discussion: 'What happens when reporting on disinformation boosts its SEO?"

    "That debunk of a viral fake news story may help the hoaxers: Here's how to stop it..." etc.

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