Summary of “Campbell Conversations” Episode with Nina Jankowicz
In this episode, host Grant Reeher interviews Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation expert and former head of the Disinformation Advisory Board during the Biden administration. Jankowicz discusses her books, including “How to Lose the Information War” and “How to Be a Woman Online.” She defines the “information war” as a real conflict shaping political discourse, with adversaries like Russia and China manipulating public opinion through propaganda and fake news.
Jankowicz acknowledges past U.S. covert influence operations but contrasts them with today’s overt campaigns. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and defending against misinformation, citing the politicization of disinformation efforts under the Trump administration as a major concern.
She expresses worries about potential threats from China, particularly how advanced AI could enhance disinformation campaigns targeting the U.S. Jankowicz also addresses the online abuse women face, detailing her personal experiences with harassment, especially following the announcement of her position on the Disinformation Governance Board.
Her upcoming talk at Syracuse University, titled “War on Reality: How Autocrats Are Silencing Truth Tellers Around the World,” will explore her experiences and broader threats to truth-tellers globally. She concludes by advocating for enhanced information literacy and proactive communication from the government to combat disinformation effectively.
