Commission on Information Disorder

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 – The Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder is making 15 recommendations to help government, private industry, and civil society advance solutions to and reduce the greatest harms in America’s urgent mis- and disinformation crisis. Published in the Commission’s Final Report, launched today, the recommendations together aim to increase transparency and understanding, build trust, and reduce harms.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 – The Aspen Tech Policy Hub seeks to fund unique and innovative projects that make meaningful progress towards ending information disorder, in direct connection to one or more of the newly announced 15 recommendations of the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder. The prize competition is being launched with support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies and ex/ante (an initiative of Schmidt Futures).

“Information disorder” is a malady that comes in many forms, from made-up news to manipulated media to misunderstood satire. According to a six-month investigation by a commission at the Aspen Institute, the United States is not trying nearly hard enough to find a cure. (EDITORIAL BOARD – NOVEMBER 23, 2021)

In a new report on disinformation from the Aspen Institute, experts propose revising Section 230 and forcing social media companies to submit to data audits. (RUTH READER – NOVEMBER 15, 2021)

A report from a bipartisan commission published Monday recommends that U.S. government and social media platform leaders take a series of immediate steps to curb the “crisis of trust and truth” stemming from online disinformation and misinformation. (MAGGIE MILLER – NOVEMBER 15, 2021)

Online misinformation has resulted in worsening public health, a slower response to climate change and an undermining of democracy, according to a report from the Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder that calls for sweeping reforms to address the threat. (SARAH KOPIT – NOVEMBER 15, 2021)

Co-chair Rashad Robinson joins Brian Stelter on Reliable Sources, and previews some of the Commission’s recommendations for improving social media transparency and holding “superspreaders” of lies accountable. (NOVEMBER 14, 2021)

APRIL 20, 2021 – The Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder publishes the results of its survey of experts, which finds trust as the most widely held concern in combatting America’s mis- and disinformation challenge. In conjunction, the initiative is inviting input from a broad range of stakeholders to aid commissioners in their understanding and consideration of key issues and opportunities.

APRIL 20, 2021 – In an effort to create a framework of scope and priorities for the Commission on Information Disorder, Aspen Digital queried the broader mis and disinformation sector for their expert suggestions. We’ve collated more than 100 responses to our survey, which asked experts how the government should respond to disinformation, the role tech platforms should play in setting regulation policy, the impact of disinformation outside the United States, and more.

APRIL 20, 2021 – Throughout the preparation and planning process, Aspen Digital is engaging a variety of individuals who have technical expertise and experience with the platforms. As Technical Advisors, their primary role is to be on-hand to provide the Commission on Information Disorder with enhanced understanding of the issues it’s considering, and to provide advice as requested on potential solutions it might recommend.

APRIL 20, 2021 – The Commission on Information Disorder wants to hear from a broad range of stakeholders as it aims to identify and prioritize the most critical sources and causes of information disorder and deliver a set of short-term actions and longer-term goals to help government, the private sector, and civil society respond to this modern-day crisis of faith in key institutions.

MARCH 24, 2021 – Aspen Digital’s Commission on Information Disorder will be co-chaired by three leading public figures, each with unique perspectives on society’s urgent mis- and disinformation challenge: renowned journalist Katie Couric; cybersecurity expert Chris Krebs, the founding director of DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); and racial equity leader Rashad Robinson, the president of Color Of Change.