Information Disorder: Algorithms and Society

The book explores the recent rise of "infodemics" as forms of disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information saturate contemporary media platforms, shaping public opinion and allowing state actors to directly assault a public's conception of reality. It emphasizes the need for new approaches to media literacy and highlights the ethical risks of increasingly "intelligent" technologies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The emergence of "infodemics" as a pervasive phenomenon in contemporary media platforms has garnered significant attention in recent years. These infodemics encompass a wide range of disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information that saturate social media, influencing public opinion and advancing various agendas. The internet, in its global nature and rapid information flow, has fundamentally challenged traditional notions of truth and authority in fact-based content. This has opened up new avenues for state actors to employ information as a tool for direct assault on the public's perception of reality. Moreover, the widespread availability of alternative realities online has created a fertile ground for individuals to challenge evidential claims through narratives and imagery alone.

In response to these challenges, there is a growing need for innovative approaches to media literacy education, encompassing the creative arts, and our acts of media consumption and dissemination. This volume explores the intricate ways in which social media platforms amplify and facilitate the messages of politicians and influencers, the ambivalence of algorithms that can both generate and detect problematic information, the strategies employed by fake news to gain widespread social traction and virality, and the ethical implications of increasingly "intelligent" technologies.

Drawing from a multidisciplinary perspective, this volume encompasses research from fields such as communication, social psychology, human-computer interaction, journalism, media, semiotics, and new media art. It seeks to provide scholars, students, policy makers, journalists, and the general reading public with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues posed by information disorder research. By examining these topics from various angles, the volume aims to foster dialogue, promote critical thinking, and inspire action toward a more informed and responsible media landscape.

Weight: 353g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032290775