New CDT Report Highlights Challenges Facing Election Disinformation Research Initiatives & Recommends Steps to Address Them

(WASHINGTON) – The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) today released a detailed report examining the challenges facing election disinformation researchers along with recommendations for overcoming them.

The report, Seismic Shifts: How Economic, Technological, and Political Trends are Challenging Independent Counter-Election-Disinformation Initiatives, sheds light on how election disinformation research initiatives work in practice – and describes the growing challenges researchers face in their work. It makes the case that immediate steps must be taken to protect counter-disinformation research and recommends new approaches for researchers to carry out their important work.

Samir Jain, CDT Vice President for Policy, says:

“The 2024 elections in the U.S., along with other key votes around the world, will likely occur during one of the worst times for political disinformation that we’ve ever seen. Massive political, technological, and economic shifts are challenging researchers and advocates.

On top of this, the declining responsiveness of leading platforms has dampened partnerships between industry and civil society. And generative AI and other new technologies are introducing unpredictable risks.

Unfortunately, efforts to counter disinformation are increasingly embroiled in political controversy, straining relationships between government and civil society, and leading to rhetorical, legal, and — in extreme cases — physical harassment of professionals in this field.

This report shines a light on how independent election research partnerships work in practice, and explains why such work is essential to our democracy.”

Read and download the full report.

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The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is the leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization fighting to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. We shape technology policy, governance, and design with a focus on equity and democratic values. Established in 1994, CDT has been a trusted advocate for digital rights since the earliest days of the internet.