In The Loop, March 2024

10 minutes read | First published: March 27, 2024

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OUR LATEST NEWS 🚀

🌟 CROWDSOURCING AS AN INFORMATION GATHERING METHOD IN INVESTIGATIONS: A NEW ARTICLE

Crowdsourcing has been increasingly used by journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and law enforcement to document war crimes. In this article, Tetyana Bohdanova, an elections and civil society development specialist and researcher, explores the benefits and challenges of crowdsourcing through specific cases during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Read the article here.

🛤️ GUIDE TO TRACK ONLINE MISINFORMATION NETWORKS IN 4 STEPS

Do you want to learn how to track online disinformation networks? This guide, authored by journalist and Director of Open the Box Nicola Bruno, includes an easy-to-use 4-step methodology that journalists, activists, and researchers can utilise to expose networked disinformation and manipulation campaigns. Explore the guide here

🔊 WORKSHOP OUTLINES FOR TRAINERS AND FACILITATORS DELIVERING SESSIONS ON DIGITAL TECH IMPACT ON ELECTIONS

Are you planning to host training sessions on the influence of digital technologies in election campaigns? Trainers and facilitators can utilise these workshop outlines to introduce participants to how personal data is used in political campaigns.

🔊➡️ WORKSHOP OUTLINE: HOW POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS USE PERSONAL DATA: Facilitators can use this outline to host introductory sessions on the multifaceted relevance of personal data in political influence. This workshop is ideal for researchers, activists, technologists, and anyone curious to know more about the use of personal data in political campaigns. Explore
🔊➡️ WORKSHOP OUTLINE: UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL DATA AS AN ASSET AND INTELLIGENCE: Trainers can use this workshop outline to explore how data-driven technologies are used in political influence, mainly focusing on what data is collected, bought, and sold to political parties, how this data is used to profile voters and how data is used to enhance the success of a political campaign. Explore

📊 WHAT DEFINES MODERN ELECTION CAMPAIGNS? AN ARTICLE EXPLORING DATA-DRIVEN OPERATIONS

In the article "Understanding the Modern Election Campaign: Analysing Campaign Eras through Financial Transparency Disclosures at the 2019 UK General Election," authors Katharine Dommett, Sam Power, Andrew Barclay, and Amber Macintyre examine how modern campaign activities entail data-driven operations involving extensive data collection and targeted message deployment to maximise support. Read here

🎲 OUR DOUBLECHECK GAME TO SPOT VISUAL MISINFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE IN TURKISH

Today's image-editing software makes it easy to create disinformation by editing, cropping, and mis-captioning images, which then spread rapidly across social media. Do you work in media and digital literacy initiatives with Turkish-speaking audiences? Now, you can utilise this captivating and playful quiz to test your audience's capacity to spot visual dis- and misinformation. Play the DoubleCheck game in Turkish and other 20 languages

📹 NEW VIDEO BY MOZILLA'S RISE25 AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS TACTICAL TECH'S WORK

"I want to own the way I use technology. I don't want technology to own the way I use it." In 2023, Mozilla's #Rise25 Awards honoured our executive director, Marek Tuszynski, as one of the leaders shaping a more ethical, responsible, and inclusive future for the internet. Watch this video to discover more about Tactical Tech's collaborative work and creative digital literacy interventions. Watch video on YouTube

TECH & ENVIRONMENT BEYOND THE EARTH HOUR 🌱📱

Last weekend, Earth Hour, known for the "lights off" moment, took place. People worldwide unite to turn off their lights to symbolise solidarity with the planet. But concerning the technological footprint, what else could be switched off or changed to reduce our environmental impact? Check our curation of our resources:

[DATA DETOX GUIDE 📚] How many trees does it take to power the internet? In this Data Detox, you'll learn some tips to make your digital life more eco-friendly, from switching up your online activities to recycling an old smartphone. Explore

[POSTERS 🌿] Out of Hand. This poster for young people covers the environmental impact of technology and explores the many hands your device goes through before you own it and after you discard it. Explore

[DATA DETOX GUIDE 📚] Repairing Is Caring Sustain your devices to reduce e-waste (and save money). In this Data Detox, you'll become mindful of the physical condition of your devices and how to better care for them. Explore

[GUIDE 📚] Bio-investigations in the Field: An introduction to the concepts and practices of biological investigations, including collecting and analysing field samples. The guide provides examples of research that can be conducted in the local environment of your community. Explore

[ARTICLE 📝] "No Disaster Is Natural: How investigating climate change adaptation could make a difference". This article explores how investigators can better inform public debates and uncover gaps in adaptation strategies and disaster management systems. Explore

[WORKSHOP OUTLINE 💻] Investigating Climate Change Adaptation: Methods and Principles. This workshop outline provides guidance and tips on investigating exposure to climate impacts, vulnerabilities and coping capacities that participants can apply to their local context. Explore

OPEN CALLS 📢

[CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS 🕵️‍♂️] "INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE INDUSTRY IN ELECTIONS" MASTER COURSE. DEADLINE: APRIL 7, 2024

Calling all journalists and researchers to join our master course that provides investigation methods, resources, and skills for covering the use of digital-driven tech in elections. The course will occur between April 18-30 and includes training sessions, discussions, and skill-sharing spaces. Apply now.

[CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS 🤓] TRAINING-OF-TRAINERS FOR JOURNALISTS AND INVESTIGATORS. DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2024

This free online Training of Trainers will get you started with the art of facilitation and public speaking! Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your training expertise and workshop design and development skills to deliver knowledge to peers, students, organisations, newsrooms, and other beneficiaries. Apply.

[CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 🏆] MOZILLA'S RISE25 AWARDS: AI FOR THE PEOPLE. DEADLINE: MARCH 29, 2024

Mozilla is seeking 25 visionaries using AI to drive social impact - advocates, artists, builders, entrepreneurs, and change agents - who are shaping the future of AI to be more ethical and responsible. Do you know anyone? Submit your nominations.

[CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 💰] GRANTS FOR FREELANCE JOURNALISTS. DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2024

IJ4EU's Freelancer Support Scheme provides teams of journalists working outside of newsroom structures with grants of up to €20,000 plus an extra cushion of tailored assistance, including training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Apply.

[CALL FOR PROPOSALS 🌍] 2024 CLIMATE ARENA CONFERENCE IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS. DEADLINE: APRIL 12, 2024

The Climate Arena Conference brings together journalists and scientists to investigate the climate crisis. This year, they seek sessions on methods uncovering greenwashing, lobbying, and government or industry action that fuel the climate crisis. They also welcome hands-on workshops teaching investigative tools or skills applicable to climate issues and discussions on the social impact of climate migration, food systems, water, agriculture, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Share your proposal.

[LIGHTHOUSE REPORTS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 2024 🤓] DEADLINE: APRIL 8, 2024

Lighthouse Reports is launching a new fellowship program with three paid positions to join their OSINT, data and reporting teams! Apply if you're passionate about collaboration and experimenting with investigative tools.Apply.

[CALL FOR ORGANISATIONS WORKING WITH YOUTH 💯] HOST YOUR OWN WHAT THE FUTURE WANTS EXHIBITION

Your cultural space, library, or school can be the perfect venue to host this creative and adaptable exhibition that equips educators to help young people navigate the challenges of growing up in a tech-driven world. Would you like to host the What The Future Wants exhibition in Khmer, Swahili, Gujarati, Turkish, Serbian, and Bosnian? Contact us at youth@tacticaltech.org

EVENTS THAT EMPOWER YOU ✨

[IN-PERSON EVENT 🌐] NAVIGATING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: PROMOTING RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND GLOBAL COOPERATION. BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. APRIL 17, 2024.

Our Executive Director, Marek Tuszynski, will speak at this event organised by the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the EU. The aim is to debate the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on society. Join the conversation as we explore the crucial role of digital citizenship in today's society.For information and registrations.

[WEBINAR 🖥️] INVESTIGATING ELECTIONS: THREAT FROM AI AUDIO DEEPFAKES. ONLINE. APRIL 9, 2024.

Elections worldwide face sophisticated digital threats. In this Global Investigative Journalism Network webinar, experts will share tips and resources on investigating AI audio deepfakes. [Register](https://gijn.org/event/webinar-investigating-elections-threat-from-ai-audio-deepfakes/

EXHIBITION 🖼️ THE GLASS ROOM MISINFORMATION EDITION AT BURG GIEBICHENSTEIN UNIVERSITY OF ART AND DESIGN IN HALLE, GERMANY. MARCH 18 - 19, 2024

The exhibition will be accompanied by a workshop about misinformation. Learn more

[EXHIBITION/FILM SCREENING 📽️] THE GLASS ROOM MISINFORMATION EDITION AT DOC LOUNGE'S DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING. APRIL 2, 2024.

The Glass Room Misinformation will be exhibited at the Doc Lounge Club Event. The exhibition will accompany the film screening of "Made to Measure," a documentary by Cosima Terrasse, Moritz Riesewieck, and Hans Block. The film illustrates how online companies, advertisers, and other data traders use the information they collect to profit from people's weaknesses, insecurities, illnesses, and addiction potential. Learn more

PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS MAKING A DIFFERENCE WORLDWIDE 💫

Last year, Mozilla launched the RISE25 Awards to spotlight the efforts of digital leaders using technology to amplify voices, effect change, and develop innovative solutions worldwide. From digital activists to researchers and artists, 25 leaders are annually acknowledged for their contributions to fostering a more diverse, ethical, responsible, and inclusive internet. Explore the Mozilla RISE25 blog posts to delve into the inspiring stories of these change-makers:

WHAT WE ARE READING 🔍

[📝 BLOG] The Technology, Internet and Policy (TIP) blog: Creating an open space for Tech and Tech Policy discussion. This is an open space for discussions on tech and tech policy. Join academics, policymakers, and civil society actors in exchanging ideas on topics like social media, AI, digital advertising, online communities, memes, influencers, online safety, content moderation, platform governance, and more. Explore.
[🔊 CAMPAIGN] 2024 Elections and internet shutdowns watch. Explore.
[👁️‍🗨️ VISUAL STORY] Inside the miracle of modern chip manufacturing. After coming up against the limits of physics, scientists are rethinking chip architecture like never before. Explore.
[📰 ARTICLE] Becoming a Web Series. We have gone from showing our offline lives on the Internet, to living in accordance with our online personas. By Ofèlia Carbonell. More info.
[🔄 ANALYSIS] Each Facebook User Is Monitored by Thousands of Companies. A Consumer Reports analysis looks at who is sending information about your online activity to Facebook. By Jon Keegan. Go to source.
[🔍 RESEARCH] Mozilla Research: Platforms’ Election Interventions in the Global Majority Are Ineffective. Go to source.
[📰 ARTICLE] The Other AI Revolutions: Synopsis and Conclusions. We review a series of conversations about the AI revolution and its impacts on thought, society and culture. By Jorge Carrión. Go to source.
[📰 NEWS] General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on artificial intelligence. Go to source.
[📰 ARTICLE] Deepfakes and the risks from the growing use of video fraud. By Dren Gërguri. Go to source..
[📰 ARTICLE] A Big Defeat for Big Tech. By Joseph E. Stiglitz. Go to source.
[📝 ESSAY] The dangers of AI farming - AI could lead to new ways for people to abuse animals for financial gain. That’s why we need strong ethical guidelines. By Virginie Simoneau-Gilbert and Jonathan Birch. Go to source.

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