[Médias et recherche] Fabrique de l'information, fabrique de l'opinion ? | ENS-PSL

The roundtable provides a nuanced and intellectually rigorous examination of disinformation, avoiding common pitfalls of moral panic or oversimplification. Mathias Girel’s opening taxonomy is particularly valuable, as it moves beyond the simplistic true/false binary to include misinformation, malinformation, and ignorance-generating content. This conceptual clarity is essential for any serious discussion of the topic. The example of the Chicago Sun’s AI-hallucinated reading list effectively illustrates how even established media can inadvertently contribute to information pollution, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem. Hugo Mercier’s presence ensures that the discussion is grounded in cognitive science, challenging the widespread assumption that people are inherently credulous. His work, as referenced in his book ‘Pané de la dernière pluie’, suggests that human reasoning is often more robust than assumed, and that disinformation’s impact may be overstated. This perspective is crucial for a balanced assessment. Adrien Broche’s contribution from the polling industry provides empirical data on public perceptions, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world attitudes. The moderation by Romain Pigenel keeps the discussion focused and accessible. However, the roundtable format means that some points are not fully developed, and the lack of visual aids or specific data citations may limit the depth for some viewers. The sources cited are primarily the speakers’ own works and general references, with no direct links to academic papers provided in the video description. Overall, the video is a high-quality, thought-provoking discussion that offers valuable insights for both academics and the general public, though it assumes some prior knowledge of the topic.

The title accurately reflects the content: a roundtable on the relationship between information and opinion, focusing on disinformation.

8/10

The video features three experts (a philosopher, a cognitive scientist, and an opinion poll specialist) discussing disinformation from academic and professional perspectives. The content is well-structured, references academic concepts and recent examples, and avoids sensationalism. However, it is a roundtable discussion without formal peer review, and some claims are not fully sourced within the video.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction by moderator Romain Pigenel, setting the stage for the roundtable on disinformation.
• 03:00Mathias Girel begins defining disinformation, introducing the true/false dichotomy and its limitations.
• 07:00Girel discusses misinformation, malinformation, and ignorance-generating content, referencing Mona Simion.
• 10:00Girel lists various phenomena: fake news, propaganda, clickbait, deepfakes, and narrative laundering.
• 13:00Example of the Chicago Sun's AI-hallucinated reading list, illustrating AI pollution.
• 15:00Discussion shifts to the risks of disinformation, with Girel emphasizing environmental alteration rather than inherent gullibility.
• 18:00Hugo Mercier likely begins his intervention, challenging the idea of widespread credulity.
• 25:00Adrien Broche presents findings from the Viavoice barometer on journalism's usefulness.
• 35:00Panel discusses the impact of disinformation on opinion formation and the role of social media.
• 45:00Concluding remarks and Q&A session with the audience.

• ENS-PSL official website — General institutional reference for the École normale supérieure - PSL.
• Programme of the study day 'La nouvelle fabrique de l'information' — Event page for the study day where this roundtable took place.
• Mineure Médias et recherche — Description of the academic program that organized the event.
• ENS-PSL LinkedIn — Social media presence of the institution.
• ENS-PSL YouTube channel — Channel where the video is published.

• Not Born Yesterday: The Science of Who We Trust and What We Believe — Hugo Mercier's book, which argues that humans are not as gullible as often assumed, aligning with his views in the video.
• Information Disorder: Toward an interdisciplinary framework for research and policy making — A Council of Europe report that provides a taxonomy of disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation, similar to Girel's discussion.

• The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread