On November 29 and December 6, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy hosted a two-part, public discussion series Fortifying the Future: Building Resilience in the Age of Disinformation. The series, which brought together experts with diverse public sector, business, media, military, and academic backgrounds, sought to bring greater awareness to, and lay out potential policy solutions for, the rampant problem of disinformation.
While social media channels and new technologies have rightly been lauded for their ability to foster community and bridge global divides, they can also create challenges when weaponized by nefarious actors. Disinformation campaigns are underway and routinely spread skepticism and animosity within civil society, the press, and, critically, between the public and their elected officials. Disinformation can easily and cheaply be used to persuade the public at an accelerated and dangerous rate, just as the very algorithms utilized by digital platforms inadvertently encourage the sharing of false information.
The report linked above is a summation of the discussions held over the two public sessions. It outlines the key issues at hand and navigates the potential means to build resilience against an amorphous threat. Key policy recommendations drawn from the discussions are noted at the conclusion.