EU Disinfo Lab webinar: Are platforms curbing disinformation? Scientific, cross-platform evidence from Six VLOPs

Founder and executive director of Science Feedback, Emmanuel Vincent, was invited to speak at the EU Disinfo Lab webinar to present the first results of the SIMODS project.

Abstract:

How much mis- and disinformation do people actually see on major online platforms? And are repeat misinformers being structurally rewarded with extra reach and monetisation? There has been no scientific, cross-platform way to answer these questions. Until now.

This webinar introduces the first results from SIMODS — Structural Indicators to Monitor Online Disinformation Scientifically, the first project to measure mis- and disinformation prevalence scientifically across platforms and languages. Emmanuel Vincent from Science Feedback walks us through the methodology behind this groundbreaking effort and reveal several striking findings. Here’s a glimpse:

• TikTok shows the highest exposure-weighted prevalence of mis/disinformation, ahead of Facebook and X/Twitter.
• Repeat misinformers benefit from a strong “misinformation premium,” receiving far higher engagement per follower than credible sources on nearly every platform examined.

Our speaker also addresses a key concern for our community: the significant data-access barriers researchers still face, and he will demonstrate how this type of rigorous, cross-platform measurement is crucial for building the Structural Indicators envisioned in the European Code of Practice on Disinformation.

Watch the recording here