Progress check: Disinformation case studies

With summer in full swing, De Facto is not on vacation. Partners are working intensively on a set of very specific case studies through which, in a variety of learning environment, we will be introducing to educators and learners the new approach to mis- and disinformation based on cognitive science.

We have already agreed most of the key topics for these case studies. Our intent was that all topics are of social significance, and that the public debate around them exhibits high intensity, that it is rich in mis- and disinformation, and that the topics have a high harm potential.

Topics include: the real benefits of superfoods, the vaccines and the anti-vaxx movement, the organic foods hype, the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris (natural disasters series), the “perfect family” image in advertising, the less-known aspects of artificial intelligence, the so-called “chemtrails”, the myths and the truth about electric cars.

Case studies are being designed with rich online resources for each topic, suggested methods and learning activites. Educators will also find detailed instructions on how to choose and use case studies with topics and formats which are suitable for their learning audience. We are also designing a special section on the De Facto website where disinformation battles will take place!

Along with the work on the case studies, we are also advancing well with two games – a board game and a web app – which will add to the diversity of the tools and instruments we are creating for educators and learners alike. Another important item in this toolbox will be a disinformation production kit, where we will put learners in the shoes of manipulators and allow them to study and understand the process of creating diversion and disinformation.