
Justin Arenstein
@justinarenstein
Investigative journalist & #CivicTech strategist. Manages pan-African innovation fund + tech labs. Founder at @Code4Africa + @afriLEAKS +@AfricanCIR +@PesaCheck
ID: 15967248
http://linkedin.com/in/justinarenstein 24-08-2008 07:42:34
5,5K Tweet
7,7K Followers
3,3K Following


Pulling no punches Justin Arenstein says mis- disinformation are not an education issue, that is victim shaming. He prefers to see campaigns as criminal enterprises. Both need entirely different solutions #AIStocktaking

STRATCOMCOE NATO Latvia in NATO 🇱🇻 💬 "Perception is that democracy is in ‘crisis’, but apocalyptic language makes us feel we’re doomed and only aids malign actors" - Olga Belogolova of Johns Hopkins University on protecting democracies’ centres of gravity at #RigaStratComDialogue🇱🇻


With trying to fight 🔥fire with 🔥fire, we normalize the propaganda environment. We cannot create more noise. Justin Arenstein of Code for Africa #RigaStratComDialogue



Networks of Russian-aligned "digital mercenaries" are systematically using Telegram Messenger + WhatsApp to seed #disinformation across Africa that undermines United Nations peacekeeping missions in 🇨🇫+🇨🇩+🇲🇱. The campaigns are design to incite locals, & be reshared. 🎯 > bit.ly/4edLDCJ



According to the 2024 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, trust in the news remains low, selective news avoidance has risen, and only 17% of respondents are willing to pay for news. 🔗 More insights in our blog: bit.ly/3RtdHs0 #DNR2024


Why are Africans more concerned about #disinfo than audiences elsewhere? Find out @ Africa's launch of Reuters Institute's #DNR24 report, that drills into media trends in 🇰🇪+🇲🇦+🇳🇬+🇿🇦 Super proud Code for Africa co-funded + co-produced it, for 3rd yr. ➡️ bit.ly/3xcmOq3


How do you get the news? “Video networks are becoming a more important part of news consumption, with more people starting their news consumption journey on social media before going to the actual news sites.” @NicNewman, lead author of Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024.


“Building profitable estates on land we don’t own is unsafe. Media must control their own platforms to avoid over-reliance on big tech.” Phathiswa_Music Magopeni, Board Director, SABC News at the Africa Launch of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report


.Code for Africa's Justin Arenstein calls disinformation campaigns "not a public-literacy problem, but an organized-crime problem" #GlobalFact11 #Sarajevo



Allegations against Africa Uncensored, co-founded by ICFJ Knight Fellowships award winner John-Allan Namu, are an attempt to silence an important independent voice. Read our full statement here: buff.ly/3A2PpPx


Have you been axed from a #journalism job? Code for Africa has partnered with a continental coalition of media defenders to map the #MediaMeltdown across Africa. Tell us if your salary has been slashed, or if your job has been impacted. ✊🏽 Share here: bit.ly/46L4G3K




❌ Fact-checking isn’t about removing information—it’s about adding context. "We don’t tell people what to think. We provide facts so they can make informed decisions." Code for Africa CEO Justin Arenstein explains how fact-checking strengthens the info space.

Could labeling synthetic political ads help safeguard elections? To answer this question, we turned to Partnership on AI’s Synthetic Media Framework for guidance. Today we’re sharing what we learned.


In April, the The Washington Post claimed that Iran-trained mercenaries from the Algeria-based Polisario Front were captured fighting alongside Assad in Aleppo. My latest investigation for TruthAfrica shows that the Post amplified Moroccan propaganda. disinfo.africa/the-washington…