We Failed The Misinformation Fight. Now What?

Zeve Sanderson and Scott Babwah Brennen write that the persistence of misinformation despite several years' worth of countering efforts begets three novel critiques of the dominant misinformation paradigm. These critiques - definitional, prevalence, and causal - can, once sufficiently understood, empower researchers to critically assess the role of issues like trust, identity, and polarization in presenting and persuading audiences of false information. The authors' conclusion looks toward the future: "In this moment of increasing attacks on the foundations of our democracy, it is essential that we eschew the simplified frameworks and old playbooks that have failed to make meaningful progress in improving our informational lives. Not to the detriment of democracy, but in defense of it." 

Read the full essay from NOĒMA.