Top democracy award for ’fake news’ research project

The Oxford Internet Institute's Project on Computational Propaganda sheds light on the use of 'fake news' to manipulate public opinion. Work by Oxford researchers to reveal the extent of disinformation being shared online has been recognised with a top democracy award. The Oxford Internet Institute's Project on Computational Propaganda has received this year's National Democratic Institute (NDI) W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award, presented last night. The Washington DC-based NDI is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organisation that works to support democratic institutions and practices around the world. Its annual award recognises individuals or groups that have shown a 'deep and abiding commitment to democracy and human rights'. Oxford's Project on Computational Propaganda, which carries out research into how social media is being used to manipulate public opinion and influence elections worldwide, is one of three organisations to receive the award this year, along with overseas groups StopFake.org and Rappler. Past recipients include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former US President Bill Clinton.