Overcoming Information Chaos—written by fourteen leading media scholars and practitioners, legal experts, psychologists, democracy specialists, and peacebuilders—provides expert guidance about how to defend ourselves against false information. The book also presents practical resources that can be applied in our busy routines, helping us to live as responsible citizens—people who mitigate the divisive consequences of information disorder and cultivate unity in diversity.

Just a few decades into the digital age, we are learning the hard way that divisive information can contribute to widespread social and political polarization. How can we heal those divisions and cultivate healthier, more peaceful communities?

There is good reason to raise alarm bells about political polarization in the US. When grievances over inequality or election integrity erupt, a country can be at greater risk for political violence. Rapidly spreading misinformation and disinformation can exacerbate societal discontent and divisions.

Media literacy is a new and essential element of peacebuilding in the digital age. This book helps us understand how the media ecosystem has changed since the digital transition. It also provides practical guidance to help all citizens sort through the massive quantities of information we encounter daily, mitigate the diffusion of disinformation, and lean into constructive civic engagement that bridges our divides and builds community.

In the digital age, peacebuilding starts with learning to use the media responsibly. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to slow down and be savvier in our interactions with information and each other.

The authors address the following topics, among others:

• How media literacy can overcome divisive biases
• Can we prevent AI from accelerating information disorder?
• How information disorder threatens democracy
• The history of information disorder and new media technologies
• The challenge of declining local news
• Can laws mitigate the divisive impacts of digital Information?
• Strategies for cultivating healthy information ecosystems;
• How media literacy can be integrated with civic engagement.

Danielle M. Reiff is the founder of Peacebuilders, a national initiative to inspire citizens to work together to build collective resilience against powerful attempts to divide us. Her writing has been published in Newsweek and other publications. A retired American diplomat, Danielle has worked to promote democracy and peace around the world with the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

"[The] writing cuts to the quick of media bias and identity-based grievances ... By encouraging media literacy principles ... the essays promote cultivating healthy information ecosystems." — Ryan Prado, Foreword Reviews

"As someone who has worked on documenting and combating human rights abuses in war zones and post-conflict areas, I think this book is vital. At a time of rising risk of political violence in the US, this book can help Americans understand the dangers they face and what they can do to stand up for peace and their democratic rights." — Etelle Higonne, Founder and Director of Coffee Watch and Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite

"Disinformation is doing away with democracy in the US and around the globe. According to the rigorous criteria we use at the Varieties of Democracy Institute, the US is quickly turning into an electoral autocracy. This book provides important guidance for how Americans can recognize and reduce the spread of toxic information to help reverse the current trends. I hope everyone will read it." — Staffan I. Lindberg, Political Scientist and Founding Director of the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute

"Polling shows declining trust in democratic institutions. Divisive rhetoric is fueling discord, political volatility, and even violence. Principled Americans must stand up for democracy and peace at this critical juncture. This book provides a clear picture of how the advent of digital platforms are radically changing our political environment, and what citizens can do to advance and defend democratic values." — Jonathan Katz, Fellow, Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security Project, Brookings Institution

"This book, written by democracy and peacebuilding experts with decades of experience, clearly explains what ordinary citizens can do to strengthen democracy, counter ethnic and national hatreds, and promote peaceful resolution of conflicts in this New World Disorder." — Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, Founding President of Genocide Watch and Chair of The Alliance Against Genocide