Propaganda and fake news are nothing new. They have been forms of communication since Roman times. The invention of Gutenberg’s printing press in 1493 dramatically amplified the dissemination of disinformation. Sensational stories have always sold well, and in the early 19th century, when the modern newspaper appeared on the scene, scoops and exposés were all the rage – but fake stories also helped boost circulation. With the advent of radio and then television, it became possible to transmit false narratives more widely. The arrival of the internet in the late 20th century, followed by social media in the 21st century dramatically increased the risks of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda. In its modern form, disinformation is very different from its historical precursors: It can spread at a velocity and magnitude that was previously unimaginable.
Join the American Council on Germany and the German Consulate General New York on Thursday, April 18, at 11 am ET for the next installment of the virtual series “Dealing with Disinformation.” Experts Dr. Walter J. Scheirer (author of A History of Fake Things on the Internet) and Dr. Heidi Tworek (author of News from Germany: The Competition to Control World Communications, 1900-1945) will join us to talk about the history of disinformation, the role of technology in its spread, and the future of fake news.