This week on the Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson reflect on China's use of social media 'influencers' to target Taiwan and the risk of escalation in Russia's hybrid war against Europe before turning to a consideration of Facebook's decision to end third-party fact-checking. Ultimately, the discussion turns to whether the disinformation framework--trying to correct lies and mistruths--is the most effective way to clean-up a polluted information eco-system. (Spoiler: it's not.)

This week on the Active Measures Newsletter Podcast, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson reflect on China's use of social media 'influencers' to target Taiwan and the risk of escalation in Russia's hybrid war against Europe before turning to a consideration of Facebook's decision to end third-party fact-checking. Ultimately, the discussion turns to whether the disinformation framework--trying to correct lies and mistruths--is the most effective way to clean-up a polluted information eco-system. (Spoiler: it's not.)

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns. 

From the Pell Center at Salve Regina University and the creators of the Active Measures Newsletter, a weekly dive into the latest trends in political warfare, influence, and information campaigns.

A weekly dive into the headlines in the Active Measures Newsletter from the Pell Center at Salve Regina University.

The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast

Is It Time to Move Beyond the Disinformation Framework?

This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson interview VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara on the Trump administration's efforts to silence the Voice of America and what the loss of that capability means for both U.S. national security and the global audience that has come to rely on VOA for independent journalism.  They also review reporting on China's growing efforts to gain influence in the Western hemisphere as well as proposals to better organize the U.S. government for information warfare.

This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson interview VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara on the Trump administration's efforts to silence the Voice of America and what the loss of that capability means for both U.S. national security and the global audience that has come to rely on VOA for independent journalism.&nbsp; They also review reporting on China's growing efforts to gain influence in the Western hemisphere as well as proposals to better organize the U.S. government for information warfare.

Save VOA!

Russian campaigns again dominate this week's episode with hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson recapping the best reporting on the Russian Pravda network, a campaign known as "Overload," and Russian ties to neo-Nazis. Along the way, they consider why Russia might target small-population languages, and discuss the hard-learned wisdom of Latvia who has long endured Russian information campaigns.

Russian campaigns again dominate this week's episode with hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson recapping the best reporting on the Russian Pravda network, a campaign known as "Overload," and Russian ties to neo-Nazis. Along the way, they consider why Russia might target small-population languages, and discuss the hard-learned wisdom of Latvia who has long endured Russian information campaigns.

Pravda and Overload

This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome McKenzie Sadeghi and Isis Blachez from NewsGuard to discuss their research on Moscow's Pravda-network, the rise of 'LLM Grooming,' and the infection of AI tools with Russian-sponsored disinformation.  The show also reports on a Russian-campaign to deepen tensions between Denmark and the United States over Greenland; the impact of Trump administration policies on Taiwan and U.S. security competition with China; as well as the growing sophistication of AI; and the failure of technology companies to equitably meet the needs of marginalized communities.

This week, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome McKenzie Sadeghi and Isis Blachez from NewsGuard to discuss their research on Moscow's Pravda-network, the rise of 'LLM Grooming,' and the infection of AI tools with Russian-sponsored disinformation.&nbsp; The show also reports on a Russian-campaign to deepen tensions between Denmark and the United States over Greenland; the impact of Trump administration policies on Taiwan and U.S. security competition with China; as well as the growing sophistication of AI; and the failure of technology companies to equitably meet the needs of marginalized communities.

Is It Time to Move Beyond the Disinformation Framework?

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