The challenge of media manipulation and disinformation

An independent investigation is underway into how an RNZ digital journalist was able to insert Russian propaganda into stories about the war in Ukraine. RNZ has stood down the journalist and since last Friday has reviewed 300 of 7000 international stories he edited and published on the RNZ website. As of Friday, 26 have been corrected. Dr Joan Donovan is at the forefront of research into media manipulation, disinformation and online extremism. She is research director of the Shorenstein Centre on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School. She has testified before Congress, and recently published Meme Wars, a book she co-authored with two other members of the Technology and Social Change Project. She's in New Zealand with the support of the US State Department speaking at a series of meetings and workshops in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington.