From November 7th to November 8th, the DigiMoD team participated in a workshop at the Weizenbaum Institute titled “Contextualizing Misinformation Research: Theoretical, Empirical, and Legal Frameworks” that was organized by Elizaveta Kuznetsova and Martha Stolze of the research group “Platform Algorithms and Digital Propaganda.”
The recent workshop on mis- and disinformation in digital political communication explored the sources, stakeholders, and political dynamics that shape these phenomena online and offline. To understand the underlying conditions that foster misinformation and to discuss potential frameworks, the event tackled topics like algorithms, traditional and “alternative” media, elections, and gender-based dynamics. The workshop brought a diverse group of experts together to spark new ideas and collaborations.
Daniel Thiele and Dr. Kilian Buehling (both Freie Universität/Weizenbaum Institute) contributed to the workshop by presenting their current work.
Dr. Kilian Buehling’s presentation on Thursday the 7th „The spreading of hate. Diffusion dynamics of conspiracy theories across digital platforms“ is a collaborative work with Prof. Dr. Annett Heft (Universität Tübingen, Freie Universität/Weizenbaum Institute) and Xixuan Zhang (Freie Universität/Weizenbaum Institute) in the context of the NEOVEX project. The researchers investigate how conspiracy theories spread across different platforms within networked information ecologies, where actors often use multiple platforms simultaneously. In addition, the study examines the interconnected dynamics between these platforms. By examining both fringe and mainstream platforms as well as “alternative” and legacy media, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the diffusion of conspiracy theories.
On Friday the 8th, Daniel Thiele presented the paper “Attributing coordinated social media manipulation. A theoretical model and a typology,” co-authored together with Miriam Milzner, Prof. Dr. Annett Heft (Universität Tübingen, Freie Universität/Weizenbaum Institute), Baoning Gong and Prof. Dr. Barbara Pfetsch. This theoretical paper focuses on coordinated social media manipulation (CSMM), a key technique of online disinformation campaigns. Drawing on a literature review, the authors address the problem of attribution—the challenge of linking an observed CSMM campaign to its covert source. The paper presents a rational choice model to reconstruct a principal’s strategic choice in commissioning a campaign and proposes a typology of CSMM campaigns.
We thank the research group Platform Algorithms and Digital Propaganda for organizing the event and providing an amazing opportunity for valuable exchange and discussions on misinformation.