CSIS: Stopping the Spread of Online Mis- and Disinformation

CSIS: Stopping the Spread of Online Mis- and Disinformation

Date: Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Time: 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET
Online-Only

Social media platforms have transformed the way in which politicians, voters, and advocacy groups convey messages during democratic elections. But while user-generated communications can promote civic engagement and political expression, they can also cultivate an environment for online mis- and disinformation to rapidly spread to large audiences. As a result of false information campaigns relating to elections, COVID-19, climate change, and more, some technology platforms have taken recent actions to reinforce content moderation. Meanwhile, lawmakers have proposed new policy frameworks for digital content moderation and platform liability that could have global implications for election integrity, national security, and free expression.

Join CSIS for a conversation on the future of online communications and the role of social media platforms in a democratic society. The panel will feature Samantha Bradshaw, Assistant Professor at American University’s School of International Service, Renée DiResta, Technical Research Manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, and Caitlin Vogus, Deputy Director of the Free Expression Project at the Center for Democracy & Technology. Suzanne Spaulding will provide opening remarks and Caitlin Chin will moderate the panel.

Speakers:

• Samantha Bradshaw, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University
• Renée DiResta, Technical Research Manager, Stanford Internet Observatory
• Caitlin Vogus, Deputy Director, Free Expression Project, Center for Democracy & Technology
• Caitlin Chin, Fellow, Strategic Technologies Program
• Suzanne Spaulding, Senior Adviser, Homeland Security, International Security Program