Renée DiResta's New Book Explores Online Manipulation and Its Impacts

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Renée DiResta, a researcher specializing in online manipulation at Georgetown University, has released a new book titled Invisible Rulers. The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality. The book aims to highlight the power of anonymous propagandists in shaping public discourse, blending her professional insights with personal experiences of being targeted by misinformation campaigns, particularly following the contentious 2020 U.S. presidential election, according to multiple media reports.

In her research, DiResta argues that the problem is not merely misinformation, but a societal inclination toward narratives that align with individual beliefs and emotions. "Misinformation implies that the problem is one of facts, and it’s never been a problem of facts," she stated. This assertion reflects her concerns over how narratives can distort public understanding and trust in institutions.

DiResta's work comes amid growing threats to academic research centers responding to disinformation. She stresses the necessity for transparent dialogue and robust institutional defenses against politically motivated attacks on scholarly work.

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