This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome Valentin Chatelet, a research associate at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, for an urgent discussion of the Pravda Network--a Russian information operation using an AI-powered network of websites to warp target populations' understanding of the war in Ukraine and other issues.  They also discuss a troubling example of America's unilateral disarmament in the information space aimed at North Korea as well as the impact of AI on democracy around the world.

This week, Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson welcome Valentin Chatelet, a research associate at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, for an urgent discussion of the Pravda Network--a Russian information operation using an AI-powered network of websites to warp target populations' understanding of the war in Ukraine and other issues.&nbsp; They also discuss a troubling example of America's unilateral disarmament in the information space aimed at North Korea as well as the impact of AI on democracy around the world.

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

The Pravda Network with Valentin Chatelet

Anyone who has ever tried to study disinformation is well-familiar with the firehose of falsehoods—there’s just so much content on so many platforms and in so much media that it’s virtually impossible to track it all. But Martina Guzmán figured out a way to use AI to help sift through all of the audio content being generated on radio stations across the country.  The result is Verdad.app, an incredible tool for researchers and a wake-up call about the sheer volume of malinformation in circulation on any given day.  Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting on possible American participation in a campaign to destabilize the government of Mexico and additional reporting on a possible Israeli campaign to influence local French elections.

Anyone who has ever tried to study disinformation is well-familiar with the firehose of falsehoods&mdash;there&rsquo;s just so much content on so many platforms and in so much media that it&rsquo;s virtually impossible to track it all. But Martina Guzm&aacute;n figured out a way to use AI to help sift through all of the audio content being generated on radio stations across the country.&nbsp; The result is Verdad.app, an incredible tool for researchers and a wake-up call about the sheer volume of malinformation in circulation on any given day.&nbsp; Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also discuss reporting on possible American participation in a campaign to destabilize the government of Mexico and additional reporting on a possible Israeli campaign to influence local French elections.

Summary  In this episode, Martina Guzmán, founder of Verdad, discusses her innovative AI tool that monitors Spanish-language radio for disinformation, revealing how foreign influence campaigns target Latin American communities in the US and impact elections. The conversation explores the mechanics of disinformation, its sources, and the importance of monitoring media to safeguard democracy.

Tracking Foreign Language Disinformation with Martina Guzmán

Over the last 18 months, the Trump administration has characterized efforts to counter disinformation as attacks on free speech, going so far as refuse visas to European fact-checkers. But the founder and chair of the Cambridge Disinformation Summit, Alan Jagolinzer, sees disinformation not simply as speech, but rather a preparatory act preceding harm—a reframing of the challenge that opens the door to a wide-range of interventions. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also talk about U.S. and Russian support to Albertan separatists and Claude’s problem with foreign disinformation.

Over the last 18 months, the Trump administration has characterized efforts to counter disinformation as attacks on free speech, going so far as refuse visas to European fact-checkers. But the founder and chair of the Cambridge Disinformation Summit, Alan Jagolinzer, sees disinformation not simply as speech, but rather a preparatory act preceding harm&mdash;a reframing of the challenge that opens the door to a wide-range of interventions. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also talk about U.S. and Russian support to Albertan separatists and Claude&rsquo;s problem with foreign disinformation.

The conversation explores the complexities of disinformation, particularly its intent to harm and the implications of viewing it through a cross-disciplinary lens. The discussion highlights the intersection of speech and corruption, the role of AI in disseminating disinformation, and the specific case of Alberta separatism as a focal point for foreign influence. The speakers emphasize the need to understand how political warfare exploits existing societal fractures to amplify division and distrust.

Disinformation, Accountability and Democracy with Alan Jagolinzer

Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party won the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April, but Russia’s coordinated influence campaign to discredit him and his party exposes current Russian influence campaigns in the West.  Darren Linville of the Clemson University Media Forensics Hub walks us through the way Russia’s Storm-1516 ecosystem launders fabricated narratives—ranging from corruption and money laundering to military conscription and anti‑Ukraine claims—through fake news sites and outsourced amplification networks, including commercial marketing accounts tied to Africa. Hungary’s election didn’t break for Russia, but Storm‑1516’s low‑cost, high‑engagement tactics pose a persistent threat to democratic processes in the West. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review possible Iranian hybrid-warfare in Europe and Japan’s efforts to confront Chinese disinformation.

Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party won the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April, but Russia&rsquo;s coordinated influence campaign to discredit him and his party exposes current Russian influence campaigns in the West.&nbsp; Darren Linville of the Clemson University Media Forensics Hub walks us through the way Russia&rsquo;s Storm-1516 ecosystem launders fabricated narratives&mdash;ranging from corruption and money laundering to military conscription and anti‑Ukraine claims&mdash;through fake news sites and outsourced amplification networks, including commercial marketing accounts tied to Africa. Hungary&rsquo;s election didn&rsquo;t break for Russia, but Storm‑1516&rsquo;s low‑cost, high‑engagement tactics pose a persistent threat to democratic processes in the West. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also review possible Iranian hybrid-warfare in Europe and Japan&rsquo;s efforts to confront Chinese disinformation.

Peter Magyar and the Tisza Party’s April parliamentary victory in Hungary drew global attention not only for its political impact, but for what it revealed about contemporary Russian influence operations in the West. In this episode, Darren Linvill of Clemson University’s Media Forensics Hub explains how Russia’s Storm‑1516 network spreads fabricated narratives—ranging from corruption and money laundering to military conscription and anti‑Ukraine claims—using fake news sites and outsourced amplification networks, including commercial marketing accounts linked to Africa. Although Hungary’s election outcome ultimately didn’t favor Moscow, Storm‑1516’s low‑cost, high‑engagement tactics continue to pose a serious and persistent threat to democratic societies. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also examine possible Iranian hybrid‑warfare activities in Europe and Japan’s efforts to counter Chinese disinformation.

The Pravda Network with Valentin Chatelet

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