Episode 32 - Laura Dewis, COO of Full Fact

How leaders can tackle misinformation - we chat to Laura Dewis, Chief Operating Officer at Full Fact

 

According to Ofcom’s latest research more than a third of internet users are unaware that online content might be false or biased. Creating and sharing content is such a huge part of what organisations and leaders do, so how can you make sure the information you’re sharing is accurate and truthful?

Guiding us through these tricky issues is Laura Dewis who is Chief Operating Officer at Full Fact, a charity of independent fact checkers and campaigners who find, expose and counter the harm caused by bad information shared by anyone in public debate. Laura takes us behind the scenes at Full Fact, explaining how they operate on the front line of misinformation and disinformation.

Laura’s career has included roles with the BBC and the Open University, and she shares with us what she’s learned about using digital to achieve impact at scale, and how tech can increase inclusion.

Zoe and Paul summarise the tech news stories that have caught their eye, including the social media storm surrounding the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp courtcase, and whether being cancelled has stopped Mumford and Sons’ former banjo player from picking up his phone (or banjo) again.

 

Notes and links -

Help Full Fact by getting involved here:

• Help us train our AI so we can tackle misinformation and disinformation at scale: https://fullfact.org/get-involved/stats-claim-challenge/

• Sign our petition (to address a broken Parliamentary system that doesn't enable all MPs to correct the record when they get something wrong): https://actions.fullfact.org/petitions/mps-owe-us-truth/

• Use or test our automated fact checking software: https://fullfact.org/about/automated/ (for journalists, fact-checkers, or start-ups)

• Our 10 point plan on what law and regulation should do to tackle online misinformation: https://fullfact.org/about/policy/reports/full-fact-report-2022/

   

Tech new stories:

• Heard/Depp social media

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/may/15/johnny-depp-amber-heard-defamation-trial-social-media 

• Mumford and Sons ex-banjo player , Winston Marshall on being cancelled (paywall)

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mumford-amp-sons-winston-marshall-on-the-tweet-that-ended-his-career-dsctkz0zs

Email us with your questions and ideas for future episodes startsatthetop@gmail.com

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Editing and production from Syren Studios and Paul Thomas

Music by Joseph McDade https://josephmcdade.com/music