At present, the study of disinformation remains relatively confined to personality-oriented and technologically deterministic approaches in the context of white nationalist populism or Trump...Show moreAt present, the study of disinformation remains relatively confined to personality-oriented and technologically deterministic approaches in the context of white nationalist populism or Trump cronyism. Guided by Actor-Network Theory’s translation process, this thesis builds on ethnographically grounded and comparative research on disinformation producers in the Philippines as it looks at the two most recent presidential elections in 2016 and 2022. Drawing from netnographic observations across social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Twitter, as well as published media interviews, I propose that disinformation networks under Rodrigo Duterte and Bongbong Marcos proved deeply complex, hierarchic and exploitative. The empirical material illustrates how different actors came together under one voice, mobilising a network of entities to promote each presidential candidate’s election. By making visible the organisational relations and labour arrangments underpinning political disinformation campaigns, as well as the mechanisms of control exercised over them, the following paper aims to deepen an understanding of these harmful networks in order to prevent their future occurrence.Show less
Web 2.0 fundamentally transformed the nature of publicly available information, allowing civilians to conduct detailed investigations of security issues using only open sources. In recent years,...Show moreWeb 2.0 fundamentally transformed the nature of publicly available information, allowing civilians to conduct detailed investigations of security issues using only open sources. In recent years, these online open-source investigation (OOSI) groups have attracted more attention, particularly in the media. This thesis evaluates the concept of civilian OOSI using two competing theoretical perspectives. According to Pantumsinchai’s interpretation of actor-network theory, these groups have an inherent propensity to spread misinformation, but according to Nhan et al.’s interpretation of nodal governance theory, these groups can be powerful security actors if they properly manage their characteristics. This thesis uses a qualitative case study of Bellingcat’s (a civilian OOSI group) investigation of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014. Using this case study method, I conclude that Nhan et al.’s nodal governance theory is the superior theoretical lens for examining civilian OOSI and that the proliferation of misinformation is not an inherent issue with civilian OOSIShow less
