Disinformation Bibliography and Resources
On this page, you can find a number of links to resources about disinformation, misinformation and malign influence (DMMI). We have included links to organizations and thinktanks that frequently report on DMMI, as well as a sample of the guides, reports and other resources we have come across during our research. If you are the owner of a website or author of a report/resource that you would like to see listed here, please contact Dr Morgan Saletta (see below). Additionally, as a first step in the eventual (and as yet aspirational) creation of a knowledge hub related to disinformation, misinformation and malign influence (DMMI), we have created a Zotero group. The group is publicly visible, but membership- which allows you to add resources, is by request or invitation only. If you are interested in joining the group, please email Morgan Saletta (msaletta ‘at’ unimelb.edu.au) with a brief introduction to yourself and your work in the area.
Institutions/Think Tanks that Publish Regular Reports on DMMI
NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute
Media and Newsletters on DMMI
Disinfo Update (newsletter of the EU Disinfo Lab).
Disinfodocket (newsletter).
WIRED disinformation news coverage.
Rappler (PI and International) – investigative journalism website that also covers disinformation.
Toolkits, Guides and Useful Reports
RESIST 2 Counter Disinformation Toolkit: An excellent toolkit from the UK government designed to support government and communicators to monitor and assess DMMI and to reduce the impact of DMMI through strategic communications.
The Debunking Handbook: Another excellent resource with practical tips on how to deal with mis and disinformation from a communications perspective. With input from major scientific experts worldwide.
The Verification Handbook(s): targeted to journalists but useful for anyone needing the skills to verify open source information. Website also has the Verification Handbook for Investigative Reporting and additional materials for verifying digital content during emergencies.
Tactics of Disinformation: Overview by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Includes useful links to guides for election officials, etc. that are general enough for most democratic countries.
Information Disorder: a report by the Council of Europe that includes a comprehensive look at dis and misinformation and outlines ways to address the problem.
Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media: (AUS) Details the national security risks to Australia and its citizens of Foreign interference.
Factsheet- Foreign Interference in the Community (Australian Federal Police).
Case Study Reports
Pro-PRC DRAGONBRIDGE Influence Campaign Targets Rare Earths Mining Companies:report(s) by Mandian on Dragonbridge (also known as Spamouflage Dragon) information operations.
The Tactics and Tropes of the Internet Research Agency: a comprehensive look at the Internet Research Agency, produced for the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Fact Checking Resources
VERA Files (PI) Non-profit organisation founded by journalists
FactRakers (PI) Journalism initiative of University of the Philippines-Diliman
RMIT ABC FactCheck (AUS) A joint-funded partnership between RMIT University and the ABC.
Australian Associated Press FactCheck (AUS) A division of Australian Associated Press (a not for profit org), AAP FactCheck examines the veracity of news media statements presented as fact by political and public figures.
Politifact (US) Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website and the home of the Truth-O-Meter. PolitiFact fact-checks claims by elected officials, candidates, leaders of political parties and political activists. PolitiFact is an independent organization run by journalists at the Poynter Institute.
Full Fact (UK/Europe). A team of independent fact checkers and campaigners.
Media Literacy Guides and Tools
ABC Media Literacy (AUS)- links to tools, reports, articles, etc. on media literacy.
Newsguard A company run by former journalists that offers a browser extension that gives a “nutrition label” style trust rating for thousands of websites. The browser extension is free for local libraries (and discounted for schools), and the Newsguard team can give sessions to librarians on how it works.
Media Literacy in the Library- a guide for library practitioners, (American Library Association, 2020).
Focusses on how media literacy approach can help librarians (and others) talk to people about controversial topics generally and specifically with mis and disinformation.
National Association for Media Literacy (US- but with resources in Spanish, Greek, etc.)
News literacy project – US NGO focused on empowering people to be better informed and able to recognize credible sources and information.
Resources related to Ethical and Legal Aspects of DMMI
The Ethics of Outsourcing Information Conflict: outlining the Responsibilities of government Funders to their Civil Society Partners. (2023) NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.