The Active Measures Newsletter Podcast

AI is already writing more than half of X’s helpful Community Notes, and that changes everything about who gets fact-checked, what gets fact-checked, and what happens when “the community” starts looking a lot more synthetic. Alexios Mantzarlis, co-founder of Indicator and a self-described “recovering fact checker,” breaks down the surprising rise of AI-written notes, why bots sometimes outperform humans, and the bigger danger hiding underneath the numbers: a moderation system that can look healthier on paper while quietly losing human participation, language diversity, and political coverage. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also unpack the recent migrant crisis in Ceuta, Spain, and increasing evidence of adversarial manipulation.
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Propaganda was foundational to America's independence, from the direct appeal of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense to the black-propaganda of Benjamin Franklin’s scalp hoax. Binghamton University Professor of History Robert Parkinson reveals the hidden power of newspapers, pamphlets, and even fake news in shaping independence. The patriots even consolidated early control over sources of news and information creating a strategic weapon that the British struggled to counter—a feature of the revolutionary era that might seem familiar today. Hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson also highlight the contemporary vulnerability of authoritarian regimes to information attacks and, relatedly, the cost of killing the Voice of America.
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That post you saw about Polymarket odds? It very well may have been sponsored—paid for by the company that stands to gain the most from your wager. Only the influencer making the post didn’t have to disclose their financial interest. Political Reporter Jason Beeferman, with his colleagues at Politico, have blown the doors off the story, identifying influencers and nearly 500 social media posts they created in exchange for payment—without disclosing that arrangement to their followers. In addition, hosts Jim Ludes and Mark Jacobson highlight reporting on China’s struggles with foreign malign influence campaigns and Russia’s propaganda efforts in Africa.
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In the realm of disinformation and political warfare, few operations stand out as prominently as Operation Cornflakes. This unique campaign, launched during World War II, aimed to exploit the German postal system to disseminate black propaganda. In this special edition of the podcast, Mark Jacobson unravels the intricacies of Operation Cornflakes, examining how it worked, its historical context, and the lessons it offers for understanding modern information warfare.
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The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, was more than a formal announcement of separation from Britain, it was a masterful piece of propaganda. By articulating grievances and affirming universal rights, it sought to unify the colonies and garner international support. The document framed the revolution not just as a political struggle, but as a moral imperative--and the legacy of that framing resonates to this day.
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