Activities
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“Fake news”: from conscientious objection to active resistance
Panel: Misinformation, Disinformation & Online Content Regulation, Annenberg-Oxford Media Policy Summer Institute, Oxford University, T. McGonagle (panel organiser and speaker).
02-08-2018
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De Raad van Europa en desinformatie: laveren tussen zorgen en zorgplichten?
Minisymposium Fakenieuws en Desinformatie ter gelegenheid van het afscheid van Wouter Hins, Amsterdam Law School, T. McGonagle.
14-06-2018
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How to disable disinformation: A European human rights perspective
2018 Justice for Free Expression Conference, Global Freedom of Expression, Columbia University, New York, T. McGonagle
26-04-2018
The law and policy turn from ‘fake news’ to online disinformation: European and national perspectives
Introduction
The starting point for this research project, lead by Tarlach McGonagle, was a 2018 study on “fake news” that was commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The project has expanded from that study to generate further academic output. This project page brings together the main output.
Media and news items
- Masterstudenten Informatierecht werken mee aan onderzoeken voor (inter)nationale organisaties, 16 juli 2018
- Twee IViR studies opgenomen in Kamerstuk over de toekomst van de onafhankelijk journalistiek in Nederland, 7 maart 2018
- Melanie Klus – VPRO Tegenlicht meet-up, 21 november 2018
Publications
Coche, E.
'Fake news' en desinformatie in België: weinig zorgen, problemen voor morgen?: Een analyse van dit mediafenomeen in België Journal Article
In: Mediaforum, vol. 2018, no. 6, pp. 185-189, 2019.
@article{Coche2019,
title = {'Fake news' en desinformatie in Belgi\"{e}: weinig zorgen, problemen voor morgen?: Een analyse van dit mediafenomeen in Belgi\"{e}},
author = {Coche, E.},
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Plaizier, C.; Klus, M.
'Nepnieuws' in Nederland: verschijningsvormen van en potentiële oplossingen voor dit containerbegrip Journal Article
In: Mediaforum, vol. 2018, no. 6, pp. 190-193, 2019.
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McGonagle, T.
De Raad van Europa en online desinformatie: laveren tussen zorgen en zorgplichten? Journal Article
In: Mediaforum, vol. 2018, no. 6, pp. 180-184, 2018.
@article{McGonagle2018g,
title = {De Raad van Europa en online desinformatie: laveren tussen zorgen en zorgplichten?},
author = {McGonagle, T.},
url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Mediaforum_2018_6.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-12-18},
journal = {Mediaforum},
volume = {2018},
number = {6},
pages = {180-184},
abstract = {Na alle hype rondom ‘fake news’, lijkt het gebruik van de term nu een behoorlijke terugslag te krijgen. Waar ‘fake news’ in 2016 en 2017 in rap tempo tot een buzz word was uitgegroeid, lijkt het inmiddels een vies woord te zijn geworden. Het heeft een militante connotatie gekregen en wordt in toenemende mate gebruikt om kritische journalisten en media te beschuldigen van het verspreiden van valse berichten, en daarmee hun werk en reputatie te ondermijnen. Daarom wordt steeds vaker de term desinformatie gebruikt als vervanger van ‘fake news’. Dit artikel staat stil bij deze terminologische verschuiving en legt uit waarom het van belang is afstand te nemen van de term ‘fake news’. Vervolgens wordt de angst voor schadelijke gevolgen van ‘fake news’ of desinformatie met de nodige
nuchterheid geanalyseerd. Is er reden voor zorg en zo ja, welke juridische, politieke en praktische maatregelen heeft de Raad van Europa tot haar beschikking om (online) desinformatie tegen te gaan? Verder wordt ook onderzocht of, en in hoeverre, deze maatregelen hun grondslag vinden in de (negatieve en) positieve verplichtingen van Verdragspartijen bij het EVRM. Het artikel sluit af met een conclusie en enkele aanbevelingen voor het ontmantelen en het terugdringen van online desinformatie. },
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pubstate = {published},
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Na alle hype rondom ‘fake news’, lijkt het gebruik van de term nu een behoorlijke terugslag te krijgen. Waar ‘fake news’ in 2016 en 2017 in rap tempo tot een buzz word was uitgegroeid, lijkt het inmiddels een vies woord te zijn geworden. Het heeft een militante connotatie gekregen en wordt in toenemende mate gebruikt om kritische journalisten en media te beschuldigen van het verspreiden van valse berichten, en daarmee hun werk en reputatie te ondermijnen. Daarom wordt steeds vaker de term desinformatie gebruikt als vervanger van ‘fake news’. Dit artikel staat stil bij deze terminologische verschuiving en legt uit waarom het van belang is afstand te nemen van de term ‘fake news’. Vervolgens wordt de angst voor schadelijke gevolgen van ‘fake news’ of desinformatie met de nodige
nuchterheid geanalyseerd. Is er reden voor zorg en zo ja, welke juridische, politieke en praktische maatregelen heeft de Raad van Europa tot haar beschikking om (online) desinformatie tegen te gaan? Verder wordt ook onderzocht of, en in hoeverre, deze maatregelen hun grondslag vinden in de (negatieve en) positieve verplichtingen van Verdragspartijen bij het EVRM. Het artikel sluit af met een conclusie en enkele aanbevelingen voor het ontmantelen en het terugdringen van online desinformatie.
nuchterheid geanalyseerd. Is er reden voor zorg en zo ja, welke juridische, politieke en praktische maatregelen heeft de Raad van Europa tot haar beschikking om (online) desinformatie tegen te gaan? Verder wordt ook onderzocht of, en in hoeverre, deze maatregelen hun grondslag vinden in de (negatieve en) positieve verplichtingen van Verdragspartijen bij het EVRM. Het artikel sluit af met een conclusie en enkele aanbevelingen voor het ontmantelen en het terugdringen van online desinformatie.
Coche, E.
‘Fake news’ and online disinformation: Case study – Belgium Journal Article
In: 2018.
@article{Coche2018e,
title = {‘Fake news’ and online disinformation: Case study \textendash Belgium},
author = {Coche, E.},
url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Case-study-Fake-News-Belgium.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-07-19},
abstract = {This case study provides an overview of the ‘fake news’ phenomenon in Belgium. In light of the 2018 Reuters Report, it starts by sketching the present media landscape in Belgium. It then enquires whether Belgians are concerned about ‘fake news’; what their level of trust is in the media; which media sources are favoured by them, and what their level of media literacy is. After analysing these facts and figures, the emergence of ‘fake news’, through foreign political events, is discussed. Different examples of Belgian ‘fake news’ are then presented, which range from ‘hoaxes’ to misleading and inaccurate news articles stemming from qualified journalists. By means of these examples, the ambiguities of the term ‘fake news’, as an umbrella term to cover a wide variety of content, are explained. Given the vagueness of the term, it is submitted that ‘disinformation’ is a more appropriate term to use.
Having regard to the possible impact of this type of ‘news’ on democracy, this case study strives to shed light on Belgian politicians and their relation with ‘fake news’. By means of examples, the author argues that they increasingly use the term ‘fake news’ to discredit news media. Moreover, they tend to by-pass traditional media, through their social media accounts, thereby contributing to the emergence of ‘fake news’. The lack of editorial oversight on social media allows for false messages to be spread. In order to propose measures to counter ‘fake news’ in Belgium, the case study provides an overview of different responses that have already been put in place. Besides responses at the EU level (including the Council of Europe), the overview includes governmental responses, news media responses, civil society responses and responses stemming from collaborations with IT companies. Taking account of these measures, various recommendations are proposed in the Conclusion. It is argued that both short and long-term actions should be developed. Having regard to the forthcoming Belgian elections, the former would be necessary and should, inter alia, aim to enhance the transparency of social media platforms. Regarding the latter, it is argued that media literacy measures should be further built upon.},
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pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
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This case study provides an overview of the ‘fake news’ phenomenon in Belgium. In light of the 2018 Reuters Report, it starts by sketching the present media landscape in Belgium. It then enquires whether Belgians are concerned about ‘fake news’; what their level of trust is in the media; which media sources are favoured by them, and what their level of media literacy is. After analysing these facts and figures, the emergence of ‘fake news’, through foreign political events, is discussed. Different examples of Belgian ‘fake news’ are then presented, which range from ‘hoaxes’ to misleading and inaccurate news articles stemming from qualified journalists. By means of these examples, the ambiguities of the term ‘fake news’, as an umbrella term to cover a wide variety of content, are explained. Given the vagueness of the term, it is submitted that ‘disinformation’ is a more appropriate term to use.
Having regard to the possible impact of this type of ‘news’ on democracy, this case study strives to shed light on Belgian politicians and their relation with ‘fake news’. By means of examples, the author argues that they increasingly use the term ‘fake news’ to discredit news media. Moreover, they tend to by-pass traditional media, through their social media accounts, thereby contributing to the emergence of ‘fake news’. The lack of editorial oversight on social media allows for false messages to be spread. In order to propose measures to counter ‘fake news’ in Belgium, the case study provides an overview of different responses that have already been put in place. Besides responses at the EU level (including the Council of Europe), the overview includes governmental responses, news media responses, civil society responses and responses stemming from collaborations with IT companies. Taking account of these measures, various recommendations are proposed in the Conclusion. It is argued that both short and long-term actions should be developed. Having regard to the forthcoming Belgian elections, the former would be necessary and should, inter alia, aim to enhance the transparency of social media platforms. Regarding the latter, it is argued that media literacy measures should be further built upon.
Having regard to the possible impact of this type of ‘news’ on democracy, this case study strives to shed light on Belgian politicians and their relation with ‘fake news’. By means of examples, the author argues that they increasingly use the term ‘fake news’ to discredit news media. Moreover, they tend to by-pass traditional media, through their social media accounts, thereby contributing to the emergence of ‘fake news’. The lack of editorial oversight on social media allows for false messages to be spread. In order to propose measures to counter ‘fake news’ in Belgium, the case study provides an overview of different responses that have already been put in place. Besides responses at the EU level (including the Council of Europe), the overview includes governmental responses, news media responses, civil society responses and responses stemming from collaborations with IT companies. Taking account of these measures, various recommendations are proposed in the Conclusion. It is argued that both short and long-term actions should be developed. Having regard to the forthcoming Belgian elections, the former would be necessary and should, inter alia, aim to enhance the transparency of social media platforms. Regarding the latter, it is argued that media literacy measures should be further built upon.
McGonagle, T.; Coche, E.; Plaizier, C.; Klus, M.
Inventarisatie methodes om “nepnieuws” tegen te gaan Technical Report
2018.
@techreport{McGonagle2018d,
title = {Inventarisatie methodes om “nepnieuws” tegen te gaan},
author = {McGonagle, T. and Coche, E. and Plaizier, C. and Klus, M.},
url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Inventarisatie_methodes_om_“nepnieuws”_tegen_te_gaan.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-07-03},
abstract = {“Nepnieuws” heeft de laatste tijd veel aandacht gekregen in de media en in het politieke debat. Tegen deze achtergrond en in het licht van de potenti\"{e}le bedreigingen van “nepnieuws” voor de Nederlandse samenleving is de opdracht voor deze studie gegeven door het ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. Het doel van dit rapport is om een update te geven over de stand van zaken met betrekking tot het onderwerp “methodes om de verspreiding van nepnieuws tegen te gaan”. Het rapport beantwoordt de volgende vragen: Welke methodes zijn er internationaal bekend om nepnieuws tegen te gaan? Wat is bekend over de effectiviteit van deze methodes? Welke kwalificaties kunnen gemaakt worden over de toepasbaarheid en relevantie van deze onderzoeksresultaten voor de Nederlandse context?},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
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“Nepnieuws” heeft de laatste tijd veel aandacht gekregen in de media en in het politieke debat. Tegen deze achtergrond en in het licht van de potentiële bedreigingen van “nepnieuws” voor de Nederlandse samenleving is de opdracht voor deze studie gegeven door het ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. Het doel van dit rapport is om een update te geven over de stand van zaken met betrekking tot het onderwerp “methodes om de verspreiding van nepnieuws tegen te gaan”. Het rapport beantwoordt de volgende vragen: Welke methodes zijn er internationaal bekend om nepnieuws tegen te gaan? Wat is bekend over de effectiviteit van deze methodes? Welke kwalificaties kunnen gemaakt worden over de toepasbaarheid en relevantie van deze onderzoeksresultaten voor de Nederlandse context?
McGonagle, T.; Coche, E.; Plaizier, C.; Klus, M.
An inventory of measures to counter "fake news" Technical Report
2018.
@techreport{McGonagle2018h,
title = {An inventory of measures to counter "fake news"},
author = {McGonagle, T. and Coche, E. and Plaizier, C. and Klus, M.},
url = {https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/Fake-news-report.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-04-25},
abstract = {English-language translation of a study commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Appendix to a Ministerial Letter to the Tweede Kamer (Dutch House of Representatives) on the future of independent journalism in the Netherlands, Bijlage bij Kamerstukken 2017-2018, 32827, nr. 127, 25 April 2018.},
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English-language translation of a study commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Appendix to a Ministerial Letter to the Tweede Kamer (Dutch House of Representatives) on the future of independent journalism in the Netherlands, Bijlage bij Kamerstukken 2017-2018, 32827, nr. 127, 25 April 2018.
McGonagle, T.
“Fake news”: False fears or real concerns? Journal Article
In: Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights, vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 203-209, 2017.
@article{McGonagle2017h,
title = {“Fake news”: False fears or real concerns?},
author = {McGonagle, T.},
url = {http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0924051917738685},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1177/0924051917738685},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-12-05},
journal = {Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights},
volume = {35},
number = {4},
pages = {203-209},
abstract = {‘‘Fake news’’ has become a much-used and much-hyped term in the so-called ‘‘post-truth’’ era that we now live in. It is also much-maligned: it is often blamed for having a disruptive impact on the outcomes of elections and referenda and for skewing democratic public debate, with the 2016 US Presidential elections and Brexit referendum often cited as examples. ‘‘Fake news’’ has also been flagged for fuelling propaganda and ‘‘hate speech’’ and even violence. ‘‘Pizzagate’’ is an infamous example of exceptional circumstances in which a false news story had a central role in a shooting incident. In December 2016, a man in Washington D.C. took it upon himself to ‘‘self-investigate’’
a story (a completely unfounded conspiracy theory) that the Hillary Clinton campaign team was running a paedophile ring from the premises of a pizzeria. Shots were fired and he was arrested and charged with assault and related offences. Given all this bad press, it is perhaps little wonder that ‘‘fake news’’ has become a major preoccupation for international organisations, national law- and policy-makers, the media and media actors, civil society and academia. But what exactly is ‘‘fake news’’ and what is all the fuss about? In addressing these questions, this column will also consider historical and contemporary perspectives on the term and its relationship with human rights.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
‘‘Fake news’’ has become a much-used and much-hyped term in the so-called ‘‘post-truth’’ era that we now live in. It is also much-maligned: it is often blamed for having a disruptive impact on the outcomes of elections and referenda and for skewing democratic public debate, with the 2016 US Presidential elections and Brexit referendum often cited as examples. ‘‘Fake news’’ has also been flagged for fuelling propaganda and ‘‘hate speech’’ and even violence. ‘‘Pizzagate’’ is an infamous example of exceptional circumstances in which a false news story had a central role in a shooting incident. In December 2016, a man in Washington D.C. took it upon himself to ‘‘self-investigate’’
a story (a completely unfounded conspiracy theory) that the Hillary Clinton campaign team was running a paedophile ring from the premises of a pizzeria. Shots were fired and he was arrested and charged with assault and related offences. Given all this bad press, it is perhaps little wonder that ‘‘fake news’’ has become a major preoccupation for international organisations, national law- and policy-makers, the media and media actors, civil society and academia. But what exactly is ‘‘fake news’’ and what is all the fuss about? In addressing these questions, this column will also consider historical and contemporary perspectives on the term and its relationship with human rights.
a story (a completely unfounded conspiracy theory) that the Hillary Clinton campaign team was running a paedophile ring from the premises of a pizzeria. Shots were fired and he was arrested and charged with assault and related offences. Given all this bad press, it is perhaps little wonder that ‘‘fake news’’ has become a major preoccupation for international organisations, national law- and policy-makers, the media and media actors, civil society and academia. But what exactly is ‘‘fake news’’ and what is all the fuss about? In addressing these questions, this column will also consider historical and contemporary perspectives on the term and its relationship with human rights.