Why a Software Engineer Speaks on Media Literacy, Disinformation, and Propaganda

In recent years, my role as a software engineer has evolved in ways I didn’t initially expect. While my work has always focused on building systems, I found myself becoming more interested in the spread of disinformation, hoaxes, and propaganda. This shift wasn’t random—it began during my time working for an organization dedicated to fighting the spread of false information.

What I learned through that work fundamentally changed my perspective. I realized how alarmingly easy it is for hoaxes and propaganda to take root in today’s interconnected world. More critically, I realized that software engineers—whether knowingly or unknowingly—can play a direct or indirect role in either preventing or facilitating the spread of this dangerous information. This is what drives me to speak out about media literacy today.

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My Work and Realizations

In my recent work with a specialized team, we spent years developing educational tools to help people understand how dangerous an information with malicious intents. Our mission was to empower individuals to spot manipulation and avoid becoming victims of false narratives. During this time, I saw firsthand just how pervasive and dangerous disinformation can be—and how it spreads with alarming ease through online platforms, sometimes even amplified by algorithms.

The tools we developed targeted this problem head-on. However, as we worked, I realized that there was a deeper issue: the underlying digital infrastructure itself can be a double-edged sword. Platforms built by software engineers, often with the intention of promoting communication and community, can just as easily be manipulated to spread hoaxes, fake news, and malicious propaganda. This realization hit home because, as a software engineer, I was part of the very machine that was enabling this.

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The Role of Software Engineers in Disinformation

A software engineer’s job doesn’t only involve creating applications or systems—we are responsible for shaping how those systems behave. This is where I recognized the responsibility engineers carry in combating disinformation. Here’s why:

• Direct Involvement: Software engineers are often the ones designing the algorithms that prioritize content on social media and other platforms. These algorithms are sometimes exploited to spread disinformation, as they can promote engaging but false stories for profit or influence.
• Indirect Involvement: Even if an engineer isn’t directly coding malicious systems, the tools we build can still be used in harmful ways. From comment sections to content-sharing apps, the code we write can be exploited to propagate hoaxes and amplify harmful narratives without our direct involvement.

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A Call to Action

Realizing this made me feel an urgent responsibility to speak out. Media literacy, cybersecurity, and understanding social engineering tactics are all critical skills in today’s world—especially for engineers. We have a responsibility to understand the wider social implications of the systems we design and work on.

As someone with the technical skills to influence how information is disseminated, I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness of these issues. Whether through educating users, building safeguards into our platforms, or designing systems with ethical considerations in mind, software engineers must be part of the solution.

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Wrap Up

I speak about topics like media literacy, social engineering, and disinformation because I’ve seen how fragile the boundary is between truth and falsehood in the digital age. It’s my belief that every software engineer has a role to play in curbing the spread of dangerous misinformation. By understanding the tools at our disposal and how they can be manipulated, we can build a safer and more informed digital world.