Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Fighting Fake?
Fighting Fake
is a citizen’s initiative
which seeks to raise awareness of the threat to society and environmental sustainability posed by lies and disinformation, and publicise and support efforts to tackle the problem.
The intention is not to try to compete with the cohorts of people and organisations now working to tackle the ‘infodemic’, rather to help raise public awareness of the threat and publicise, explain and contextualise what’s going on. We also want to promote critical thinking about bad information and what is true or genuine in education and civil society, and to encourage those using social media to think carefully before posting material online which may inadvertently contribute to the problem.
Q: What is Critical Information?
Critical Information
is a small but growing network of concerned citizens — activists, organizers, researchers and writers — who are dedicated to raising awareness of the existential threat to society and environmental sustainability posed by misinformation and fake news. We are based in the UK and working with and through Civil Society to highlight the dangers, and also to publicise initiatives designed to identify and neutralise the threat.
We are looking to connect up with like-minded individuals and public interest organisations overseas, where we can see scope for collaboration. We are at heart an awareness-raising and information-sharing initiative, run by volunteers who work from home. This may change, but it is still early days. The initiative was only launched in early 2017.
Q: What's Different About Critical Information?
Many organisations are working to counter fake news / misinformation, and the disinformation spread by hostile foreign powers and their proxies. They range from educational establishments (which promote critical thinking and media awareness), and fact-checking teams (that scrutinise news/assertions), to regulators (that police the net as best they can), and sophisticated cyber-security professionals (that try among other things to protect vital infrastructure from attack). We can’t compete with these groups, and neither are we trying to.
Our focus is rather different in that we are specifically targeting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) / the not-for-profit sector. We have started with humanist and secularist groups (there are ~100 in the UK), and we are talking with environmental activists and people working in international development — up and down the country there are literally hundreds of small groups, some linked to the 40 or so national and international environmental or development NGOs. In addition, our website and blog aims to provide a coherent and accessible overview of what is going on in this complex and fast-evolving field. We are also helping to identify and evaluate resources that people can use in schools and in public information campaigns.
Our focus is rather different in that we are specifically targeting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) / the not-for-profit sector. We have started with humanist and secularist groups (there are ~100 in the UK), and we are talking with environmental activists and people working in international development — up and down the country there are literally hundreds of small groups, some linked to the 40 or so national and international environmental or development NGOs. In addition, our website and blog aims to provide a coherent and accessible overview of what is going on in this complex and fast-evolving field. We are also helping to identify and evaluate resources that people can use in schools and in public information campaigns.
Q: Why Focus on Civil Society?
The growing epidemic of bad information threatens trust and social cohesion, which are the essential building blocks, not only for social well-being and human flourishing, but also peace and security. And it is voluntary, not-for-profit and social enterprise organisations that play such a vital role in promoting and protecting these qualities. CSOs stand up for people's rights; they fight bigotry and exclusion; and they deliver all manner of services in the community (healthcare, social support, disability awareness, education & training, working with youth, etc. They are also involved in advocacy.
Q: Is Critical Information Political / Religious?
Critical Information
is political to the extent that it is concerned with defending society and democracy against the poison of misinformation and deception, but it is not party
political; neither does it have a religious agenda. The initiative came from a local activist, Mike Flood (who is based in the UK), and aims to work with and embrace people of all faiths and none. The problems we face are so serious that we need all the friends we can get, and everybody can bring something to the table. For ther record, Mike is chair of Milton Keynes Humanists and much of what is written on this website is written from a basically humanist persective. [If you want to know more about Humanism you will find some discussion/links in About
and Resources.]
Q: Who's Behind Fighting Fake?
Critical Information
is about team work. We will provide more information about this as our network develops and people take responsibility for different areas of work. For the record, the person behind Critical Information is Mike Flood, who has a long-standing professional interest in encouraging critical thinking, sharing good quality information, and promoting public understanding and community development. Mike studied chemistry at university before being awarded a conversion fellowship to study sociology and going on to work as an environmental activist in London. Since then he has worked in international development, where he has managed dozens of grassroots education and community development projects in over a dozen low-income countries. [There is more about Mike in About.]
I have spent virtually my entirely professional career working in the non-profit sector, and much of it focused on providing sound, accessible and relevant information. I’ve worked on environment and energy policy, and in adult education and international development. I chair Milton Keynes Humanists
and am an active member of Humanists UK, and try to apply humanist principles in all of my work.[2]
After completing a second degree (in organic chemistry) I was awarded a Conversion Fellowship
to study the sociology of science. I went on to work for Friends of the Earth
where I concentrated on civil nuclear power and renewable energy. Six years later I joined the Open University
as a Technology Lecturer/Tutor; and in 1990 set up a charity, Powerful Information, where I was responsible for developing, resourcing and managing over 100 grassroots community projects in a dozen countries in E Europe and W Africa. I stood down in 2017.
I have written a number of books, OU Course Units and NGO manuals, and numerous project reports for funders. Throughout my career I have tried to follow a simple set of principles about effective campaigning that were developed by the late, great David Comey — see Pulldown.
This background should explain why I was so concerned when Donald Trump seized on ‘fake news’ during the 2016 Presidential Campaign and used it so effectively against his opponents. This was the trigger for my conceiving Critical Information
as a platform from which to work, and in early 2017 launching Fighting Fake.
Q: Who Funds Critical Information?
We do not currently receive financial support from anyone. As the work develops and our network grows, we will need funds, not least to pay for outreach activities (organising talks, attending events, paying for ads on social media, etc.). But we will meet that hurdle when we come to it. The only current expenditure is concerned with maintaining the website (which is trivial). Our affiliates give freely of their time. Their reward comes from the insight gained, the new friends made, and the satisfaction of doing something constructive for others.
Q: Can I Join Critical Information?
Yes. The best way to become involved in Critical Information
is to share information and ideas with us over the internet. We have established a Blog on the website, and there is also a feedback form, and we hope people with use these to send comments and suggestions. We also have a growing list of issues that we would like to find out more about. If this is something you think you could help us with, contact us and we will send you a short questionnaire to establish your interests, expertise, experience and availability. Once we have this information we will be able to see which topics might be most of interest to you. We will be happy to put your name on our mailing list to receive regular updates about our work.
Q: I Like What You Are Doing. How Can I Donate?
We would be happy to receive donations, but whilst we are still setting up the organisation and establishing the network and modus operandi, it is a little premature. If you would like to register your interest, we can let you know when there are items or activities that you might like to consider helping us with. Thank you.
