The Centre for Disinformation Studies (CDS) is a nonpartisan research and public outreach wing of the NATO Association of Canada, created in April 2019. The goal of the CDS is to facilitate engagement between academics, government, and the public on the topic of disinformation or ‘fake news’. Although disinformation has long been an aspect of human communication, new technologies and a changing international landscape have pushed the idea of disinformation into public awareness in unprecedented ways. The spread of disinformation in recent years has been facilitated by the proliferation of online social networks and digital information-sharing platforms. These new technologies have eroded public trust in conventional sources of information and have helped spread skepticism towards science, academia, and democratic institutions.
The Centre for Disinformation Studies has two main objectives. The first is to provide an interdisciplinary platform for scholars from across the country and beyond to share and discuss research relating to the study of disinformation. The second objective of the CDS is to help disseminate academic research on disinformation to the public in an accessible and engaging manner. By directly engaging the public and helping to bridge the gap between academic research and societal perceptions, the CDS aims to improve the public’s ability to engage critically with information spread through new digital technologies. The CDS also works to strengthen Canadians’ cultural resiliency towards misleading information or conspiracy theories by providing resources to help the public navigate an increasingly confusing information landscape.
Between March and October of 2020, 17 countries passed new laws aimed at stifling the spread of online misinformation. Citing the increasingly contentious pandemic-related content as a primary justification, multiple governments and distinctly authoritarian regimes cracked down on critics and limited individual expression under the pretense of maintaining social stability. Hong Kong is keen to Read More…
Julian Snelling examines the recent Hong Kong reform of the Liberal Studies curriculum, analyzing the extent to which such policy limits freedom of expression amongst an increasingly politicized generation in the region.
In this article, Maria Zelenova examines how Russian independent journalists have been able to adapt under harsh censorship laws, creating a new ecosystem for reporting on important stories.
Julian Snelling assesses the increasing presence of the Party in China’s “third realm,” aiming to comprehend the extent to which information dissemination constitutes not just top-down control but individual self-censorship.
In this article, Julian Snelling examines the tangible results of citizen calls for legal reform in China to assess the extent to which these successes are simply the consequence of a “propaganda as policy” governance framework.
The rise of conspiracy theory communities on the Internet… And in American politics Conspiracy theories are not a new phenomenon. However, in today’s digital environment, their role and importance has drastically changed. While these movements were previously mainly confined to obscure and secluded forums of the Internet, they now proliferate and flourish anywhere from Twitter Read More…
Examining anti-“fake news” laws in East and Southeast Asia, Cassidy Bereskin weighs Canada’s options in legislating against disinformation.
While the Russo-Ukranian conflict has challenged many geo-political norms, it has also caused many to reconsider theories of warfare. In this article, Ian Litschko and Josh Campbell examine Russia’s cyber operations in Ukraine.
Touraj Riazi had the privilege of interviewing Andy Ellis, current VP of Corporate Strategy at EVNTL. We discussed EVNTL, its use of AI and the implications. Andy Ellis was formerly the Assistant Director of Operations at the Canadian Security and Intelligence Services.
Cyber attackers present a real threat to the integrity of democracy’s most important element: the electoral process. Avneet explores how Canada confronted cyber threats during the election.