MSNBC’s legal expert provides an analysis of how disinformation is being used as a weapon to polarize voters, weaken our legal systems, and centralize power in the hands of a few.
The division in American society is at an all-time high. This is largely due to the intentional spread of disinformation, which involves the propagation of falsehoods masquerading as the truth. The sources of this disinformation are varied, including far-right opportunists and Russian social media influencers spreading misinformation. This is posing a threat to our democracy and causing disruptions in our electoral system, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and even our Capitol. The situation is further exacerbated by technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, which can amplify false narratives and create a false sense of legitimacy. In her work, Attack from Within, legal scholar and analyst Barbara McQuade helps us understand the various ways in which disinformation is infiltrating every aspect of our society and offers strategies to combat it.
Disinformation is crafted in a way that triggers strong emotional reactions, pushing us towards more radical viewpoints and making it difficult to find common ground with others. The false allegations that led to the shocking attack on our Capitol in 2020 could have been just a precursor. Attack from Within provides guidance on how to prevent such incidents from recurring, thereby safeguarding our hard-earned democracy.
