In the midst of an evolving landscape, a prominent misinformation researcher, Kate Starbird, has shifted her focus in anticipation of the 2024 US election. Starbird, co-founder of the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public, acknowledges that accusations of bias within her field have intensified, largely due to the prevalence of misinformation propagated by right-wing sources.
Expressing concern about the widespread acceptance of baseless claims of rigged elections among Americans on the right, Starbird emphasizes the impact this belief can have on their interpretation of events leading up to the polls. She notes that her research group, which collaborated with Stanford Internet Observatory on the Election Integrity Partnership in 2020, faced backlash from congressional Republicans and conservative figures who accused them of censorship and First Amendment violations.
Amidst an ongoing misinformation campaign targeting Starbird herself, and an overarching effort to frame misinformation research as partisan and censorial, academics in the field face challenges. Congressional figures like Jim Jordan, chair of the House judiciary committee, have been instrumental in investigating and challenging groups countering misinformation, leading to a chilling effect on research just before the pivotal 2024 election.
The pressure extends beyond Congress, with lawsuits alleging First Amendment violations against the Biden administration for colluding with social media companies. This complex environment has prompted researchers to adjust their focus and communication strategies, with some refraining from flagging posts to social media platforms due to ongoing legal challenges.
Despite being entangled in controversy, Starbird remains committed to her work, emphasizing the importance of understanding the high stakes involved in misinformation spaces. Her academic journey, from studying online volunteerism to navigating the intricacies of misinformation campaigns, has made her aware of the sophisticated tactics employed by political actors.
Starbird highlights the challenge of labeling research into election misinformation as biased, attributing it to the disproportionate spread of election lies by the political right. Concerns arise as misinformation continues to influence narratives, potentially impacting election laws and procedures, and even opening avenues for foreign interference campaigns.
With a focus on election processes and procedures, Starbird now refers more to "rumors" than "misinformation" to mitigate the politicization of terms. Despite facing hurdles and anticipating potential challenges in the upcoming election, she remains cautiously hopeful that public awareness and resilience may prevent a recurrence of the most egregious claims.