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How to Track Digital Mercenaries Behind Disinformation

During an ICFJ Disarming Disinformation masterclass, held in partnership with the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, award-winning data journalist and director of Columbia University’s Master of Science Data Journalism Program, Giannina Segnini, discussed these “digital mercenaries” and how to stop them.

Top IJNet articles of 2022

At IJNet, we’ve provided resources and tools across our eight languages to support journalists and their reporting globally. Our efforts have helped journalists fight disinformation, report on environmental issues, responsibly cover conflict, and respond to online violence.

As the year comes to an end, we asked our global team of editors and translators to recommend their favorite IJNet articles for 2022. Here are their selections:

What Journalists Need to Know to Combat Information Disorder

From unsubstantiated claims of election fraud to vaccine conspiracies, a state of “information disorder” has consumed the online ecosystem in recent years. Consisting of mis-, dis- and malinformation, the phenomenon can be difficult for journalists to understand, study and combat.

How Journalists in the ICFJ Network Are Teaming Up to Expose Corruption

At a recent anti-corruption gathering in Washington, DC, Samantha Power, who heads the U.S. Agency for International Development, highlighted a powerful tool developed by ICFJ on a USAID-funded program. With our partner, the Jefferson Institute, we created a platform called Secure Reporter, which helps journalists conducting sensitive and often dangerous investigations collaborate more safely across borders.

How to Investigate Political Disinformation

Almost all smartphones in Brazil have WhatsApp installed on them.

While the messaging app helps ensure easy communication within and outside of Brazil, its widespread use also facilitated the proliferation of disinformation in the lead-up to the country’s 2018 presidential election. During that time, Patricia Campos Mello, a journalist with Folha de São Paulo, reported closely on the mass dissemination of disinformation on WhatsApp.

Meet Five Journalists From ICFJ's Global Network

During the ICFJ Tribute to Journalists 2022 on November 10, five members of the ICFJ network who were watching the event online were spotlighted by ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi during the awards broadcast. “... you and all of the journalists you represent are the reason we all are here,” Moshavi said. The five journalists, Ankita Mukhopadhyay, Cley Medeiros, Ahmed Elsheikh, Mady Camara and Kharla Pimentel, hail from news organizations and countries around the world, reflecting ICFJ’s vast network of journalists. 

How to Determine Who's Funding Online Ads Linked to Disinformation

Websites that facilitate disinformation often employ a combination of revenue sources. By pinpointing streams of profit, journalists can find the players and trace the networks responsible for funding false content online. Identifying those who perpetuate disinformation is integral to debunking lies and uncovering the truth.

Fighting Disinformation in the U.S. and Beyond

At ICFJ, we have long worked to help journalists fight the scourge of rampant disinformation in countries from Brazil to India to Nigeria. The prevalence of falsehoods during the recent U.S. midterm elections is the latest reminder why that work is just as vital in our own backyard.

We have responded to the need with programs to fight the tide of disinformation in U.S. Spanish-speaking audiences and to amplify trustworthy sources in coverage of everything from the New Mexico governor’s race to Tuesday’s Georgia Senate runoff.

We can’t do this important work without your support, and we invite you to consider making a contribution to ICFJ as we approach the end of the year.

Disarming Disinformation: Apply Now for the 'Investigathon'

ICFJ’s Disarming Disinformation program has a robust track designed to promote collaborative investigations that help to unravel who or what funds disinformation in the Americas. 

Very soon you will be able to apply for the second stage, an in-person “Investigathon,” which will take place in Austin, Texas, April 11-15. The event will bring together 20 professionals who will present proposals for collaborative investigations with a high potential for impact. 

Opportunity for Brazilian Journalists to Investigate Scientific Disinformation

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is partnering with the Serrapilheira Institute to offer journalists, researchers and communications professionals from Brazil the opportunity to take part in the Disarming Disinformation “Investigathon” in the United States in April 2023. Up to three of the selected projects will receive grants to publish investigative and collaborative reports following the Investigathon. Applications will be open until Feb. 5, 2023.