About
The Civic Listening Corps (CLC), an initiative under the Algorithmic Transparency Institute, is a volunteer-driven effort that leverages technology and community collaboration to monitor misinformation affecting civic engagement. By utilizing Junkipedia’s powerful suite of tools, volunteers are equipped to track, analyze, and respond to false narratives that spread across social media, influencing public perception and discourse. The CLC aims to build a more informed society by shedding light on the sources and spread of misinformation
Challenge
Tracking the rapid spread of rumors and false information about 2024’s election integrity and civic issues across multiple social media platforms was in fact a daunting task. In addition, the CLC faced significant hurdles in analyzing the high volume of content generated daily on platforms, with particular difficulty in identifying narratives that could incite public distrust. Utilizing Bright Data’s Web Scraper API and its Proxy Network, CLC were able to collect real-time data at scale and empowering them to respond quickly and effectively to emerging threats to civic trust.
Impact
During 2024, the Civic Listening Corps collected 17,686 tips, and produced 91 publications offering a comprehensive analysis of misinformation trends. These reports were instrumental in providing detailed insights into the nature and spread of misinformation, supporting educational campaigns, and informing policy interventions. The collaboration also enabled the CLC to expand their operations, ensuring broader coverage of misinformation hotspots and contributing to a healthier public dialogue around civic issues.
