Digital Storms: Unpacking Misinformation & Democracy in South Asia

Episode 3
This episode is hosted by Dr. Umer Jan and Dr Jamie Ranger, in conversation with Dr. Niloufer Siddiqui and Dr. Kiran Garimella. In the episode we discuss how misinformation and disinformation intersect with political violence and electoral behaviour in South Asia, particularly Pakistan and India. The discussion also uncovers the unique challenges of misinformation in private, encrypted networks such as WhatsApp and the evolution of political parties’ digital strategies, especially around pivotal elections and Artificial Intelligence. Addressing case studies of vigilante violence driven by rumours, the experts provide insights into how misinformation and hate speech escalate ethnic and religious tensions. Dr. Siddiqui is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany-State University of New York (SUNY). Dr. Garimella is an Assistant Professor in the School of Communication and Information at the Rutgers University.

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