Session
Global Digital Governance & Cooperation
Regulatory Sandboxes for Technological Innovations
InternetLab
Heloisa Massaro, Director of InternetLab, Civil Society, Latin America Fernanda K. Martins, InternetLab director, Civil Society, Latin America Ester Borges, Head of Research of InternetLab, Civil Society, Latin America Alice Lana, Head of Research of InternetLab, Civil Society, Latin America Clarice Tavares, Head of Research of InternetLab, Civil Society, Latin America
Eliana Quiroz, Internet Bolívia, Civil Society, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Herman Wasserman, University of Stellenbosch, Academia, African Group Renata Mielli, Comitê Gestor da Internet, Government, Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) Morgan Frost, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), Private Sector, Western European and others Group (WEOG)
9.c
16.10
16.5
16.6
Targets: Our proposal is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in several ways. Firstly, SDG 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, can be related to the project. Digital marketing and online communication technologies have played a significant role in transforming the advertising industry. The project addresses the intersection of disinformation, digital marketing, and advertising, providing insights and guidelines on how to deal with these issues in an increasingly connected environment. Another relevant SDG is SDG 16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Misinformation has become a growing concern for peace and justice, as it can affect trust in institutions, create social divisions, and amplify polarization. The project aims to promote a more reliable and informed environment by addressing disinformation and providing guidelines for marketing and advertising professionals to act responsibly. Therefore, the proposal contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, innovation, infrastructure, and promoting a more reliable and fair environment.
We propose an activity that consists of a first-round on disinformation and advertising, where speakers will provoke thoughts on the topic based on guiding questions. Next, participants will be divided into small groups to discuss the theme. Finally, there will be a moment for the groups to build consensus, collectively sharing the outcomes of their discussions. This activity aims to foster an engaging and interactive environment that encourages critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. By providing guiding questions, we hope to stimulate thoughtful discussions among participants, allowing them to delve into the complexities of disinformation and its impact on advertising. Once divided into small groups, participants can exchange ideas, share perspectives, and explore different viewpoints on the subject matter. This group dynamic encourages active participation and facilitates the generation of diverse insights and solutions. Towards the end of the activity, each group will reconvene to build consensus collectively. This final step allows participants to synthesize their discussions, identify common ground, and highlight key takeaways from the various perspectives shared within their groups. Through this process, we aim to create a collaborative and inclusive environment that promotes a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by misinformation in advertising. In addition, by engaging in meaningful discussions and working towards consensus, participants will contribute to developing informed and responsible approaches to address this issue.
Based on the work conducted by InternetLab throughout 2022, where we delved into the concept of disinformation and explored how advertising (both online and offline) plays a role in the information disorder we are experiencing in the 21st century, the purpose of this section is to facilitate discussions among experts from various sectors of society. They will share their work in this context and their perspectives on the differences between the measures taken by social media platforms and governments to address the intersection between the advertising market and the proliferation of disinformation narratives on various subjects. This relation includes financing websites and influencers promoting such discourse, programmatic marketing, and market strategies that may obscure public debates for commercial interests. In this section, we aim to foster an open dialogue that sheds light on the complexities of the relationship between advertising and disinformation. Experts will have the opportunity to exchange insights and knowledge about their respective experiences, providing valuable perspectives on the challenges of disinformation in the advertising landscape. The discussions will encompass the measures both platforms and governments implement to address this issue, focusing on the potential impact on public discourse and manipulating information for commercial gain. By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, we aim to promote a better understanding of the multifaceted nature of this problem and encourage the exploration of innovative solutions. Through these discussions, we aim to uncover new insights, identify best practices, and develop strategies to help mitigate disinformation through advertising channels, ultimately fostering a more informed and responsible information ecosystem.
To facilitate interaction between onsite and online speakers and attendees, we will utilize the Zoom platform, which supports onsite and remote participation. To ensure the best possible experience for both online and onsite participants, we will design the session with inclusivity and engagement in mind. Here are some key considerations: a) We will encourage speakers to deliver dynamic and visually engaging presentations catering to onsite and online audiences. This may involve the use of multimedia elements, such as slides, videos, and interactive content, to capture the attention and interest of participants regardless of their location b) In the days leading up to the session, InternetLab will promote the event on its blog and social media platforms, requesting guiding questions for the discussions in the small groups. c) During the event, remote participants will also be divided into small groups using the breakout rooms feature of the Zoom platform, participating in the activity similar to the participants who will be physically present.
Report
IGF 2023 Networking Session #171 Fake or advert: between disinformation and digital marketing
Youtube link and official website
The IGF 2023 Networking Session #171, titled "Fake or Advert: Between Disinformation and Digital Marketing," brought together experts from diverse sectors to delve into the intricate relationship between advertising and disinformation in the digital age. Organized by InternetLab, this session aimed to facilitate an open dialogue and exchange of insights on the challenges posed by disinformation in the advertising landscape, focusing on measures taken by social media platforms and governments to combat this complex issue. The session featured enlightening discussions and key takeaways from speakers representing various perspectives.
This is the updated list and order of speakers:
- Eliana Quiroz (Internet Bolivia)
- Anna Kompanek (Center for International Private Enterprise - CIPE)
- Herman Wasserman (University of Stellenbosch):
- Renata Mielli (Comitê Gestor da Internet)
Onsite Moderator: Heloisa Massaro (heloisa.massaro@internetlab.org.br)
Online Moderator: Laura Pereira
Rapporteur: Alice Lana
Format: Networking session
Heloísa Massaro, the director of InternetLab, set the stage by emphasizing the importance of addressing disinformation in advertising. This session aimed to shed light on the complexities of this relationship, focusing on how advertising can either contribute to or mitigate the spread of disinformation.
1. Eliana Quiroz (Internet Bolivia): Eliana highlighted the differences between countries, even within the global south, in their capacity to afford digital marketing campaigns. She emphasized the financial aspect of disinformation campaigns and how they impact public discourse. Eliana's perspective provided a valuable understanding of the disparities in digital marketing capabilities across regions.
2. Anna Kompanek (Center for International Private Enterprise - CIPE): Anna brought a unique perspective from the local business community, emphasizing that not everyone from the private sector involved in discussions like these represents big tech. She stressed the impact of paying for adverts on disinformation and the quality of journalism in a country. Her company's report, created in collaboration with CIMA, highlighted the importance of ethical advertising to support independent journalism and media spaces. Anna's insights underlined the significance of ethical advertising for enhancing the public image of companies.
3. Herman Wasserman (University of Stellenbosch): Herman discussed the disparities in understanding disinformation between the global north and the global south and how this impacts the conversation. He presented two critical points: firstly, disinformation has a long history in the global south, and secondly, there is a double threat to information landscapes, both externally and internally. Herman's perspective emphasized the historical context and the importance of understanding disinformation in different regions. He also highlighted the role of advertising in supporting small independent media outlets, especially in authoritarian regimes.
4. Renata Mielli (Comitê Gestor da Internet): Renata focused on the disinformation industry and the dominance of digital platforms in the advertising market. She raised questions about the role of government and governmental regulation in the context of digital marketing and disinformation. Renata's questions encouraged thoughtful consideration of the state's role in regulating the advertising industry and social media platforms, and how this could contribute to a more responsible and reliable digital marketing environment.
Q&A and Panelists' Responses:
The panelists engaged in a Q&A session, where they fielded questions on topics such as elections, self-regulation mechanisms, and regulatory approaches. The speakers provided comprehensive and insightful responses, contributing to a deeper understanding of the issues at hand.
In conclusion, the IGF 2023 Networking Session #171 provided a platform for a meaningful exchange of ideas on the complex interplay between advertising and disinformation. The speakers' diverse perspectives and the questions raised during the session demonstrated the need for collaborative efforts to address disinformation in advertising and foster a more responsible and reliable digital marketing environment. The session exemplified the IGF's commitment to promoting a better understanding of these multifaceted challenges and encouraging innovative solutions for a more informed and responsible information ecosystem.
Key Takeaway 1: Leveraging Ethical Advertising - One insight emphasized the role of ethical advertising in supporting independent journalism. Collaborative efforts by governments, the private sector, and civil society are proposed to create and enforce ethical advertising standards, ultimately contributing to a more reliable media environment.
Key Takeaway 2: Bridging the Global South Gap - there are disparities in disinformation understanding between the global North and South. The session encourages a knowledge exchange, where global north regions can learn from the south's long historical perspective on disinformation, ultimately aiding the fight against disinformation. This collaborative learning could inform future strategies to tackle disinformation globally.
Call to Action 1: South-North Knowledge Exchange - Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the global south regarding disinformation, the session urges the global north to engage in a mutual knowledge exchange. This exchange should involve sharing strategies, best practices, and expertise to combat disinformation and strengthen independent media. Collaboration should be fostered between academia, civil society, and governments to facilitate this exchange.
Call to Action 2: Ethical Advertising Initiatives - The discussion underscores the need for concrete actions towards ethical advertising standards. Governments, the private sector, and civil society are urged to collaborate and establish a framework that enforces responsible advertising practices. This should be initiated within a specific timeframe to promote transparency and reliability in the digital advertising landscape.