MI voting group fights disinformation

As the 2024 presidential elections approach, the nonpartisan Michigan League of Women Voters is intensifying its efforts to combat disinformation through its Democracy Truth Project.

The initiative aims to equip people with tools needed to evaluate media content. The League has teamed up with the Detroit Public Library to disseminate educational resources across various platforms, including social media.

Paula Bowman, co-president of the Michigan League of Women Voters, said the group wants people to look at certain pieces of media with a critical eye.

"And know that not everything they see in print is true and correct. They do have to understand what the source is, and maybe change the source for verification of that information," Bowman said.

Bowman said the rise of AI-generated content has significantly increased uncertainties in what we read or hear, and it's more crucial than ever for people to return to trusted sources.

Bowman credits the local Detroit League of Women Voters for its partnership with the Detroit Public Library. She said the library will give monthly broadcasts on various topics related to voting.

Jennifer Dye, managing Librarian with the Detroit Public Library, said its partnership with the League makes sense.

"We're both working to inform the community. We are trying to educate people to be good citizens, essentially," Dye said.

Bowman emphasized people don't have to live in the city of Detroit to have access to this information.

"Anybody can sign on to these videos. And all the older ones, the ones previously recorded, are on their website, so they can be accessed at any time," she continued.

Bowman added the League has also pulled together experts to educate the public about issues the League doesn't necessarily hold strong positions on, such as ranked-choice voting, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.