Evidence-Informed Misinformation Policy: Insights from Psychology
Anastasia Kozyreva
Abstract
The spread of false and misleading information in online social networks is a global problem needing urgent solutions. To address the spread of misinformation, policymakers require a successful interface between science and policy, as well as a range of evidence-based solutions that respect fundamental rights while efficiently mitigating the harms of misinformation online. In this course, we will discuss how misinformation policy can be informed by scientific research, focusing on research in the field of psychological science, including behavioral public policy and political psychology. We'll explore four key areas:
1. Misinformation as a Policy Problem: Understanding what makes misinformation relevant to policy, the evidence required by policymakers, and the current EU approach.
2. System-level Interventions: Examining interventions to make media ecosystems less conducive to spreading false information, including platform design and content moderation, and public attitudes towards these measures.
3. Individual-level Interventions: Focusing on solutions to help individuals recognize and avoid spreading falsehoods, based on the "Toolbox of individual-level interventions against online misinformation" (Kozyreva et al, 2024).
4. Open Questions and Future Directions: Discussing key open questions and contentious points in misinformation research.
Course readings will include policy documents, conceptual pieces, and empirical studies, with an emphasis on empirical research.
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