This moment calls for innovative approaches to tackling false information, and PEN America is ready to support journalists, policy makers, and communities across the country.
What You Need to Know
Disinformation can be used to smear an opponent for political gain, damage trust in our election system, and mobilize or suppress voter participation.
Technological advances like generative AI have made it easier than ever to produce and distribute deceptive content.
We believe that an empowered public and vibrant news ecosystem are the best means of countering disinformation’s pernicious effects.
Disinformation Resources
See our counter-disinformation resources to help combat falsehoods.
How to Vote and Combat Political Disinformation: A Tip Sheet for Election 2024
This series features journalists and experts with extensive experience in navigating political and other forms of disinformation in order to provide best practices, insights into how to identify and counter disinformation, case studies, and other tips from practitioners.
For the Truth in Journalism Project, facts are necessary – but not sufficient – in the fight against disinformation
The shift in the media landscape raises new questions about the impact of influencers. This panel gave an overview of the changing landscape, followed by a conversation with journalists and activists in the field. The panelists described what they see as the biggest benefits – and biggest risks – for having influencers in the information ecosystem.
To participate in democracy, you need to be well informed. But in today’s political climate, there’s a lot of false information circulating about our election processes and systems. Who spreads these falsehoods, and why? What are the real reasons public figures like Elon Musk share false claims about voting?
Local news outlets are facing unprecedented pressures, and journalists are being asked to do more with less. Meanwhile, many people feel the news doesn’t accurately reflect their communities or their perspectives. Building relationships between community members and journalists can help address both challenges.
Why do we believe what we believe? And how do we undo beliefs rooted in misinformation? A conversation among three people tackling disinformation from three distinct angles surfaced salient insights on threats to journalism, including the psychology of why some people believe untruths online and how reporters can best respond to these misguided beliefs.
Fact-checking serves an important function in our news and politics, but it’s not well understood by the general public. What’s involved in fact-checking? How can we recognize when something we’re reading has been adequately verified? Understanding how fact-checking works can help us better determine when news and information is reliable and trustworthy – or not.
Journalists face a daunting task ahead of the 2024 election as disinformation campaigns grow more sophisticated and public trust in institutions – including the news media – declines.
Many of us assume that we won’t be influenced by false, misleading, and incomplete information because we’re smart, thoughtful people. But the reality is that simply having a human brain makes us vulnerable. The reason? When we’re faced with information overload and the need to make frequent decisions, we all take mental shortcuts, and those shortcuts lead to trouble.
In 2024, the Texas Tribune created an initiative to share accurate, digestible information with Texans who are eligible to vote but may face barriers to participation… More >>
El uso de inteligencia artificial (IA) para crear y difundir desinformación se ha vuelto cada vez más común. Esta nueva amenaza representa un desafío significativo para la conciencia pública y la integridad democrática… More >>
While some people create and spread disinformation, your friends and family may well spread misinformation, which is shared by people who may not know the information is false. More >>
PEN America experts also featured in:
Journalists can’t win the fight against fake news without citizens’ help
The future of journalism stands at a crossroads. The solutions aren’t easy. But here’s the good news: Evidence shows numerous opportunities for citizens to pitch in.