The role of academia, civil society and the press in mitigating the spread of disinformation
On May 29, the joint conference at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) brought together 57 representatives from civil society, research, academia, and media for a cross-sector dialogue on addressing disinformation and foreign influence in Israel, fostering collaboration and actionable strategies.
Roundtable discussions with academic researchers, journalists, and civil society leaders highlighted current challenges and strategies for countering false information.
Roundtable 1 – Research and Civil-Journalistic Activism in Combating Disinformation: Challenges and Opportunities
Moderated by INSS Senior Researcher David Siman-Tov, this roundtable shared best practices and ethical approaches in research, and civil-journalistic activism aimed at building disinformation resilience in Israel.
Participants noted civil society’s limited resources, the need for a shared purpose, and how social polarization worsens disinformation. The discussion also covered gaps between media and civil society, the special vulnerability of Arab communities, and barriers to accessing information and technology. Complex influence campaigns—mixing foreign and domestic actors—were seen as a key challenge. To address these issues, the roundtable stressed interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical responsibility, and building a professional knowledge base. Recommendations included integrating disinformation studies into academia, improving access to technology, and carefully handling ethical and regulatory issues. The discussion concluded with calls to build trust, foster cooperation, and strengthen Israel’s resilience through research and activism. Download the full summary – Roundtable 1 Summary Pdf.
Roundtable 2 – Digital Literacy and Disinformation Resilience: The Role of Israeli Academia and Civil Society
Moderated by ISOC-IL’s VP of Community Affairs Edan Ring, this roundtable explored how academia and civil society can strengthen Israel’s resilience to disinformation through research and media literacy education.
Participants highlighted the lack of a coordinated, national approach to media literacy, with current efforts fragmented across sectors. Israel’s low ranking in the 2023 Media Literacy Index and recent crises like the October 7th conflict underscored the urgency of developing critical media skills from an early age. The group stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation—including academia, civil society, educators, and public authorities—to create effective, systemic responses. Key recommendations included establishing national task forces, reducing bureaucratic barriers for civil organizations, and embedding media literacy in both formal and informal education. The roundtable concluded with calls for ongoing advocacy, resource sharing, and adapting international best practices to Israel’s needs. Download the full summary – Roundtable 2 Summary Pdf.
Roundtable 3 – The Roles of Public Policy and Civil Society in Addressing Disinformation in Israel
Moderated by former Legal Advisor to Israel’s National Cyber Directorate Adv. Amit Ashkenazi, this roundtable examined the intersection of policy, regulation, and civil society in countering disinformation.
Participants identified significant gaps in Israel’s regulatory frameworks, highlighting tensions between freedom of expression, digital platform accountability, and national security. There was consensus on the systemic threat posed by unregulated global platforms and the need for a multi-layered, multi-stakeholder approach. Key recommendations included establishing a cross-sectoral policy framework with security, regulatory, and civic-empowerment layers, reducing bureaucratic barriers for civil society, and promoting government support for research and innovation. The roundtable also called for enhanced public-private information sharing and a uniform national approach to collaborating with international platforms. Download the full summary – Roundtable 3 Summary Pdf.
The joint conference is part of the broader “Disinformation Resilience Israel” (DRI) project, led by ISOC-IL with support from the European Union. The project seeks to bolster fact-finding capacity among media and civil society organizations, raise public awareness, promote media literacy, and drive forward research to build a more informed, critical, and inclusive information ecosystem.
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