Platforms & Propaganda

This research theme examines the interplay between digital platforms, information ecosystems, and the spread of propaganda in the digital era. Key topics include the role of social media in amplifying disinformation, the use of algorithms and automation to influence public opinion, and the strategies employed by state and non-state actors to manipulate online discourse. Central to this theme is the concept of computational propaganda, which we define as “the use of algorithms, automation, and human curation to purposefully distribute misleading information over social media networks, often with the intent to manipulate public opinion or disrupt democratic processes.”