The University of Washington and Stanford University previously led a nonpartisan coalition monitoring and researching political misinformation and disinformation online during the 2016 presidential election. As the 2020 presidential race progressed, concerns about political rumors and false narratives grew, but the coalition is no longer active. However, researchers at the UW’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP) are committed to continuing their work in identifying and communicating about emergent rumors during the 2024 election. The CIP, established in 2019, has around 20 researchers dedicated to addressing this issue.
Both the UW and Stanford have faced lawsuits and efforts to discredit their work from conservative groups and Republican leaders. Platformer reported that the Stanford Internet Observatory is reportedly dismantling, leading to speculation that attacks on the universities played a role in this decision. While University officials deny that the group is closing down, key leaders have recently departed from the organization. Despite these challenges, the CIP, under the leadership of Kate Starbird, remains determined to carry on with their research and rapid responses to online rumors and disinformation campaigns.
The former coalition, known as the Election Integrity Partnership, included the Digital Forensic Research Lab and Graphika. This partnership focused on tracking harmful activities related to the democratic process, such as attempts to suppress voting, confuse voters, and delegitimize election results without evidence. The group worked on monitoring the 2020 election and its aftermath, but ceased operations after the 2022 election. The Election Integrity Partnership faced legal challenges, including a defamation lawsuit from Project Veritas, which was dismissed by a federal judge in 2022.
Renée DiResta, a technical research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, has left her role as the organization reportedly winds down. She also joined the scientific advisory board for TrueMedia, a Seattle-based organization detecting political deepfake videos, photos, and audio. Jevin West, the director of the CIP, is also part of the TrueMedia advisory board. These connections showcase the ongoing efforts to combat online misinformation and disinformation in the political sphere. Kate Starbird of the CIP was recently recognized with the 2024 University Faculty Lecture Award at the UW for her contributions to the field and society at large.
In conclusion, despite the challenges and legal threats faced by the University of Washington, Stanford University, and their associated organizations, the commitment to combatting political misinformation and disinformation remains strong. The work of the CIP and other groups involved in monitoring online rumors and false narratives plays a critical role in preserving the integrity of the democratic process. The recent departures of key leaders and reports of organizations winding down may signal changes in the landscape of efforts to address this issue, but the dedication and recognition of individuals like Kate Starbird demonstrate a continued commitment to tackling these challenges in the future.
