{"id":10742,"date":"2017-08-08T15:36:02","date_gmt":"2017-08-08T22:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/?p=10742"},"modified":"2017-08-09T12:07:25","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T19:07:25","slug":"mozilla-information-trust-initiative-building-movement-fight-misinformation-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blogarchive\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/mozilla-information-trust-initiative-building-movement-fight-misinformation-online\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mozilla Information Trust Initiative: Building a movement to fight misinformation online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we are announcing the Mozilla Information Trust Initiative (MITI)<\/strong>\u2014a comprehensive effort to keep the Internet credible and healthy. Mozilla is developing products, research, and communities to battle information pollution and so-called \u2018fake news\u2019 online. And we\u2019re seeking partners and allies to help us do so.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Imagine this: Two news articles are shared simultaneously online.<\/p>\n

The first is a deeply reported and thoroughly fact checked story from a credible news-gathering organization. Perhaps Le Monde<\/em>, the Wall Street Journal<\/em>, or S\u00fcddeutsche Zeitung<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The second is a false or misleading story. But the article is designed to mimic content from a credible newsroom, from its headline to its dissemination.<\/p>\n

How do the two articles fare?<\/p>\n

The first article\u2014designed to inform\u2014receives limited attention. The second article\u2014designed for virality\u2014accumulates shares. It exploits cognitive bias, belief echos, and algorithmic filter bubbles. It percolates across the Internet, spreading misinformation.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t a hypothetical scenario\u2014it\u2019s happening now in the U.S.<\/a>, in the U.K.<\/a>, in France<\/a>, in Germany<\/a>, and beyond. The Pope did not endorse a U.S. presidential candidate, nor does India\u2019s 2000-rupee note contain a tracking device. But fabricated content, misleading headlines, and false context convinced millions of Internet users otherwise.<\/p>\n

The impact of misinformation on our society is one of the most divisive, fraught, and important topics of our day. Misinformation depletes transparency and sows discord, erodes participation and trust, and saps the web\u2019s public benefit. In short: it makes the Internet less healthy<\/a>. As a result, the Internet\u2019s ability to power democratic society suffers greatly.<\/p>\n

This is why we\u2019re launching MITI. We\u2019re investing in people, programs, and projects that disrupt misinformation online.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why Mozilla? The spread of misinformation violates nearly every tenet of the Mozilla Manifesto<\/a>, our guiding doctrine. Mozilla has a long history of putting community and principles first, and devoting resources to urgent issues\u2014our Firefox browser is just one example. Mozilla is committed to building tolerance rather than hate, and building technology that can protect individuals and the web.<\/p>\n

So we\u2019re drawing on the unique depth and breadth of the Mozilla Network\u2014from journalists and technologists to policymakers and scientists\u2014to build functional products, research, and community-based solutions.<\/p>\n

Misinformation is a complex problem with roots in technology, cognitive science, economics, and literacy. And so the Mozilla Information Trust Initiative will focus on four areas:<\/p>\n

Product<\/h3>\n

Mozilla\u2019s Open Innovation team will work with like-minded technologists and artists to develop technology that combats misinformation.<\/p>\n

Mozilla will partner with global media organizations to do this, and also double down on our existing product work in the space, like Pocket<\/a>, Focus<\/a>, and Coral<\/a>. Coral is a Mozilla project that builds open-source tools to make digital journalism more inclusive and more engaging.<\/p>\n

Literacy<\/h3>\n

We can\u2019t solve misinformation with technology alone\u2014we also need to educate and empower Internet users, as well as those leading innovative literacy initiatives.<\/p>\n

Mozilla will develop a web literacy curriculum that addresses misinformation, and will continue investing in existing projects like the Mission: Information<\/a> teaching kit.<\/p>\n

Research<\/h3>\n

Misinformation in the digital age is a relatively new phenomenon. To solve such a thorny problem, we first need to fully understand it.<\/p>\n

Later this year, Mozilla will be releasing original research on how misinformation impacts users\u2019 experiences online. We will be drawing on a dataset of user-level browsing data gathered during the 2016 U.S. elections.<\/p>\n

Creative interventions<\/h3>\n

Mozilla will field and fund pitches from technologists who are combatting misinformation using various mediums, including virtual reality and augmented reality. It\u2019s an opportunity to apply emerging technology to one of today\u2019s most pressing issues.<\/p>\n

Imagine: an augmented reality web app that uses data visualization to investigate misinformation\u2019s impact on Internet health. Or, a virtual reality experience that takes users through the history of misinformation online.<\/p>\n

Mozilla will also support key events in this space, like Media Party Argentina, the Computation+Journalism Symposium, the Online News Association, the 22×20 summit, and a MisinfoCon in London as part of MozFest. (To learn more about MozFest \u2014 Mozilla\u2019s annual, flagship event devoted to Internet health \u2014 visit mozillafestival.org<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

We\u2019re hoping to hear from and work with partners who share our vision. Please reach out to Phillip Smith, Mozilla\u2019s Senior Fellow on Media, Misinformation & Trust, at miti@mozilla.com to get involved.<\/p>\n

More than ever, we need a network of people and organizations devoted to understanding, and combatting, misinformation online. The health of the Internet \u2014 and our societies \u2014 depends on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today, we are announcing the Mozilla Information Trust Initiative (MITI)\u2014a comprehensive effort to keep the Internet credible and healthy. Mozilla is developing products, research, and communities to battle information pollution … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1355,"featured_media":10747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[88,66,19596],"tags":[],"coauthors":[311614],"yoast_head":"\nThe Mozilla Information Trust Initiative: Building a movement to fight misinformation online - The Mozilla Blog (Archived)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/blogarchive\/blog\/2017\/08\/08\/mozilla-information-trust-initiative-building-movement-fight-misinformation-online\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katharina Borchert\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta 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