‘The Russians use a narrative in Africa that claims the West is decadent and perverts our children to turn them gay’ 👇 Justin Arenstein Code For Africa english.elpais.com/international/…

Next week, Stanford HAI & Cyber Policy Center will convene leaders at global AI Safety Institutes & international organizations as well as researchers & policy leaders on the ground in the EU, BRICS, Africa, and beyond for the AI+Policy Symposium. Register now: hai.stanford.edu/events/aipolic…

The next set of speakers looks at the realities of AI and policy on the African continent ↘️ #AIstocktaking

Powerful point by Justin Arenstein who emphasizes that the fact that AI companies have not hoovered up all data in Africa is not so bad, especially with many authoritarian regimes that may abuse technology or policy for repression #AIStocktaking

Pulling no punches Justin Arenstein says mis- disinformation are not an education issue, that is victim shaming. He prefers to see campaigns as criminal enterprises. Both need entirely different solutions #AIStocktaking

Marietje Schaake Justin Arenstein Brilliant points by Justin Arenstein: SMS on Whatsapp & similar is being weaponized with ppl not realizing they are engaging with mis- & disinformation bots. 🤖

We need to treat disinfo + other coordinated info-manipulation for what it is: organised crime. can’t agree more Idea Momentum Justin Arenstein linkedin.com/posts/justinar…

STRATCOMCOE NATO Latvia in NATO 🇱🇻 💬 "Perception is that democracy is in ‘crisis’, but apocalyptic language makes us feel we’re doomed and only aids malign actors" - Olga Belogolova of Johns Hopkins University on protecting democracies’ centres of gravity at #RigaStratComDialogue🇱🇻

With trying to fight 🔥fire with 🔥fire, we normalize the propaganda environment. We cannot create more noise. Justin Arenstein of Code For Africa #RigaStratComDialogue

Why is anti-Western #disinformation so effective? Because it resonates, deeply. Influence ops amplifies the hurt caused by ill-conceived Western policies. It ain't 🚀 science: if you exclude us, we have no reason to protect you. Here's how we fix it: bit.ly/3wYYQyw

Networks of Russian-aligned "digital mercenaries" are systematically using Telegram Messenger + WhatsApp to seed #disinformation across Africa that undermines United Nations peacekeeping missions in 🇨🇫+🇨🇩+🇲🇱. The campaigns are design to incite locals, & be reshared. 🎯 > bit.ly/4edLDCJ

When it comes to 👨🏾‍💻 online news globally, 59% are concerned about what is real and what is fake. The figure is considerably higher in 🇿🇦 South Africa (81%) and the 🇺🇸 US (72%) 🔗 Join the conversation here: bit.ly/3xcmOq3 #DNR24

According to the 2024 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, trust in the news remains low, selective news avoidance has risen, and only 17% of respondents are willing to pay for news. 🔗 More insights in our blog: bit.ly/3RtdHs0 #DNR2024

Why are Africans more concerned about #disinfo than audiences elsewhere? Find out @ Africa's launch of Reuters Institute's #DNR24 report, that drills into media trends in 🇰🇪+🇲🇦+🇳🇬+🇿🇦 Super proud Code For Africa co-funded + co-produced it, for 3rd yr. ➡️ bit.ly/3xcmOq3

How do you get the news? “Video networks are becoming a more important part of news consumption, with more people starting their news consumption journey on social media before going to the actual news sites.” @NicNewman, lead author of Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024.

“Building profitable estates on land we don’t own is unsafe. Media must control their own platforms to avoid over-reliance on big tech.” Phathiswa_Music Magopeni, Board Director, SABC News at the Africa Launch of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report

.Code For Africa's Justin Arenstein calls disinformation campaigns "not a public-literacy problem, but an organized-crime problem" #GlobalFact11 #Sarajevo

Interesting to see Anonymous focusing 🔎 on the shadowy #disinfo-for-hire industry that profiteers from subverting democracies, & polarising or radicalising societies "Disinfo" is an org crime problem, not a public literacy issue. We need to target the infrastructure. ✊

Allegations against Africa Uncensored, co-founded by ICFJ Knight Fellowships award winner John-Allan Namu, are an attempt to silence an important independent voice. Read our full statement here: buff.ly/3A2PpPx

Have you been axed from a #journalism job? Code For Africa has partnered with a continental coalition of media defenders to map the #MediaMeltdown across Africa. Tell us if your salary has been slashed, or if your job has been impacted. ✊🏽 Share here: bit.ly/46L4G3K