Social media may have provided a space for mis and disinformation to spread, but questions around why people believe and share false content and how they became radicalized must be addressed as well. What roles do cognitive biases and mental shortcuts, as described by behavioral economics, and the development of algorithms affect or even degrade our information ecosystem?

Social media platforms and Big Tech play a pivotal role in both the spread and response to online mis and disinformation. Questions regarding transparency, responsibility and accountability have risen as independent researchers and technologists work to understand how to approach studying platform impact when data and access are restricted.

According to a report by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russian interference in 2016, “no single group of Americans was targeted by IRA information operatives more than African Americans. By far, race and related issues were the preferred target of the information warfare campaign designed to divide the country.”

Social media, paired with far-right, white nationalist ideology and extremist radicalization tactics, cultivated the groundwork needed to mobilize thousands of Americans to converge and subsequently attack the US Capitol on January 6.

A decline in trust in American institutions is both a contributing factor in and a victim of information disorder. In 2019, a Pew Research study showed that the public’s trust in both the federal government, news media, and in their personal circles have decreased.

Access to critical trustworthy information for millions of Americans is declining at alarming rates across the country. Local reporters were unprepared to address the onslaught of misleading and false content that spread on social media and via word-of-mouth accounts on testing, masks and vaccines, complicating the information ecosystem even more.

Disinformation campaigns, reaching a crescendo in the last year, demonized officials at all levels of government and expanded into areas of public health. Americans were exposed to content that depicted elected leaders and candidates as active dangers to their livelihoods and values, with January 6 a consequential outcome.

Businesses, corporations and financial markets can be greatly affected by false or misleading information, intentional and otherwise. Whether it’s to manipulate stock prices, damage brand reputations or target consumer confidence, disinformation has become a dangerous tactic that marketing and public relations firms may not be prepared to effectively counter.

Nation-state actors have carried out influence operations during elections in both Europe and the United States. Even though tactics such as network operations, provocations and the coordinated spreading of disinformation have been revealed, this has not deterred the activity from Russia and China.

The Capitol siege by white nationalists, Trump supporters and militia groups on January 6 that was grown out of a social media-led disinformation campaign has revealed new concerns from internet experts, threat researchers and more.

Studies by research institutions and programs by schools and libraries have reflected an increasing demand for civic engagement and digital media literacy, and hopes that it can push back against political polarization and online radicalization.

These are additional recommended readings and resources not shared as materials for commissioners but useful for all those interested in the work surrounding information disorder.