SMIDGE Project

?? Giovanni Ziccardi offers a powerful reminder: "Keep Calm, Double-Check and Be Skeptical." In today’s world of information overload, taking a moment to confirm facts and seek diverse perspectives is essential in preventing the spread of misinformation. Listen to the latest SmidgeCast episode for more insights: https://buff.ly/fQCmEvJ #Misinformation #CriticalThinking #FactCheck

Misinformation is nothing new, but in today’s digital age, it spreads faster and more widely. The real challenge isn't just spotting the lies—it’s having the time and resources to verify them. Explore this critical topic in the latest SmidgeCast episode. Listen here: https://buff.ly/fQCmEvJ

?? Can AI help fight disinformation? A recent report from the European Digital Media Observatory explores the critical role of Artificial Intelligence in addressing the growing challenge of online disinformation. The report highlights AI’s capabilities in automated fact-checking, text analysis, and detecting deepfakes, while also addressing important ethical considerations like bias and scalability. ?? To know more:

??? New SmidgeCast episode! Who should be responsible for verifying the truth? Where do we draw the line between regulation and free speech? And how do we tackle AI-generated #disinformation, deepfakes, and digital manipulation? In this episode, we explore these critical questions with Prof. Giovanni Ziccardi from the University of Milan, expert in legal informatics and digital rights. ?? Listen to the full episode here: https://buff.ly/6MkefCu

A new report by TrygFonden, Analyse & Tal and Os & Data reveals a concerning trend: Middle-aged users (40-63) are responsible for 56% of all hateful comments on Danish Facebook. With 73 million comments analyzed, the study highlights the growing role of middle-aged users in shaping (and sometimes distorting) online discourse. The comprehensive study of Danish Facebook discussions (2021–2024) shows that: ? 1 in 20 comments on political & media pages is an attack ? Nearly 80% of these come from users over 40 ? Just 0.2% of users are responsible for 30% of all hateful comments. ? Certain demographics, including women & minorities, are disproportionately targeted. These findings demand urgent discussions on online safety, misinformation and digital governance. Read the full report in Danish:

Far-right extremism is gaining alarming momentum worldwide, fueled by social and political divisions, fears around migration, and the rapid spread of disinformation on digital platforms. By analysing extremist content across platforms like TikTok and Telegram, SMIDGE tracks how far-right messaging evolves, spreads, and influences policy discussions. In the latest SMIDGE blog article, Vesa Shatri from KCSS explores how SMIDGE’s insights are shaping more effective policies and counter-narratives. ?? Read the article here: https://buff.ly/43d52kb

Can you spot climate misinformation? Experts warn that disinformation is one of today’s biggest global risks, delaying critical climate initiatives and preparedness. How can we combat this growing challenge? Transparency, fact-checking, and responsible digital practices are key. ?? We suggest reading this @SBS article, which examines efforts to tackle climate disinformation:

How do you know if the news on your TikTok feed is real? That’s where the 5 C’s of news literacy come in. This article explores three of them—content, circulation, and consumption—to help you understand what you’re seeing, how it got to you, and how to evaluate its credibility. Read the full article:

??Today, our #SmidgeProject consortium partners gathered for a productive meeting focused on refining our counter-narratives. We’re making significant strides and look forward to sharing impactful outputs soon!

How does far-right extremism gain traction? Online propaganda, decontextualized narratives and digital echo chambers play a crucial role in shaping radical ideologies. The new SMIDGE blog article from @KCSSQKSS explores how the SMIDGE project is tracking these trends and their real-world impact. You can read it here: https://buff.ly/43d52kb