Lecture

Which Countries Swear the Most?

Discover which countries swear the most on social media based on an analysis of 1.7M English-language tweets. Surprising global swearing trends!

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To Read

Disinformation in the Global South by Herman Wasserman and Dani Madrid-Morales Eds (Chapters 1 and 3)

📕Disinformation in the Global South

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Disinformation in the Global South

A timely and incisive exploration of disinformation and its impact in the Global South   In Disinformation in the Global South, media and communications scholars Herman Wasserman and Dani Madrid-Morales deliver a unique and geographically diverse collection of perspectives on the phenomenon of disinformation as it manifests in the Global South. In many parts of the Global South, coordinated political disinformation campaigns, rumor, and propaganda have long been a part of the social fabric, even before disinformation has become an area of scholarship in the Global North. The way disinformation manifests in this region, and responses to it, can therefore be highly instructive for readers around the world.  Through case studies and comparative analyses, the book explores the impact of disinformation in Africa, Latin America, the Arab World and Asia. The chapters in this book discuss the similarities and differences of disinformation in different regions and provide a broad thematic overview of the phenomenon as it manifests across the Global South. After analyzing core concepts, theories and histories from Southern perspectives, contributors explore the experiences of media users and the responses to disinformation by various social actors drawing on examples from a dozen countries. Disinformation in the Global South also includes: A thorough introduction to Southern perspectives on national histories, theories of disinformation, and research methods in disinformation studies Global case studies of cultures of disinformation, including ethnographic insights into how audiences engage with disinformation Comprehensive explorations of responses to online and offline disinformation, including discussions of news literacy and the management of disinformation A valuable resource for scholars of disinformation everywhere, as well as senior undergraduate and graduate students in courses covering transnational or global perspectives to communication studies, Disinformation in the Global South is also an ideal reference for anyone studying or working in media or journalism.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

In Disinformation in the Global South, Herman Wasserman and Dani Madrid-Morales explore the complexities of disinformation within the unique media ecosystems of the Global South. They challenge the notion that disinformation is primarily a Western issue by highlighting how colonial histories, socio-political instability, and varying levels of media freedom shape the spread and impact of disinformation in regions like Nigeria and Kenya. Through case studies, the authors illustrate how disinformation in these countries is often intertwined with ethnic tensions, political rivalries, and electoral processes, exacerbating conflicts and influencing public opinion. The chapter underscores the need for context-specific strategies to combat disinformation, recognizing the distinct social, cultural, and political dynamics at play in these regions.

1. Media Ecosystems: The interconnected network of media outlets, platforms, and practices that shape how information is produced, disseminated, and consumed within a specific region or society. In the Global South, media ecosystems are influenced by factors such as colonial legacies, political instability, and varying levels of media freedom.
2. Disinformation: Deliberately false or misleading information spread with the intent to deceive. In the context of the Global South, disinformation often interacts with local socio-political dynamics, making it a particularly potent tool for manipulation.
3. Ethnic Tensions: Social and political conflicts rooted in ethnic differences, which can be exacerbated by disinformation. In regions like Nigeria, disinformation often exploits these tensions to further divide communities and influence political outcomes.

To Watch

To Write

• How do the unique media ecosystems of the Global South influence the spread and impact of disinformation compared to the Global North?
• In what ways do ethnic tensions and political rivalries in countries like Nigeria and Kenya exacerbate the spread of disinformation, and what are the implications for social cohesion?
• How can lessons learned from the spread of disinformation in the Global South inform global strategies to combat misinformation, particularly in diverse and politically unstable regions?

Facilitation Schedule