How Graphika traced COVID-era disinformation—and the framework behind it
This archive episode preview points to a conversation with Graphika’s Camille François about an Iranian COVID-19 influence operation and how it fits into broader disinformation patterns. The show notes also suggest a practical lens: François’s “ABC framework” for understanding these campaigns.
This is a preview based on the published show notes, not a recap of the full audio. In this archived installment of *Lawfare*’s **Arbiters of Truth** series, hosts Evelyn Douek and Quinta Jurecic speak with Camille François, Chief Innovation Officer at Graphika. The episode centers on a Graphika report released in April 2020 about an Iranian influence operation tied to COVID-19—one that, according to the notes, pushed narratives blaming the United States for creating the virus while praising China’s pandemic response. If you’re interested in how online influence campaigns are identified and compared across cases, this episode looks especially relevant. The notes indicate that François discusses what Graphika found in this campaign and how it compares with earlier operations, including a Ghana-based effort that Graphika helped uncover and that was linked to Russia, with content aimed at Black Americans. The other major draw here is the conceptual side. Beyond the specific case study, the conversation also covers François’s “ABC framework” for understanding disinformation campaigns. That suggests the episode is not just about one operation, but also about giving listeners a structured way to think about how these campaigns work. This may be a strong pick for listeners who want a mix of current-events context, platform and network analysis, and a more systematic vocabulary for discussing misinformation and disinformation online.
About this episode
<p>From April 16, 2020: On this episode of <em>Lawfare</em>'s Arbiters of Truth series on disinformation, Evelyn Douek and Quinta Jurecic spoke with Camille François, the Chief Innovation Officer at Graphika, where she works to identify and mitigate disinformation and misinformation online. On April 15, Graphika released a <a href="https://graphika.com/reports/irans-iuvm-turns-to-coronavirus/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">report</a> on an Iranian influence operation focused on COVID-19, an operation blaming the United States for supposedly creating the virus and praising China’s response to the pandemic. Camille discussed what Graphika found and how this campaign compares to similar operations in the past—like another campaign from Ghana that Graphika helped <a href="https://graphika.com/reports/ira-in-ghana-double-deceit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">uncover</a>, which was linked to Russia and posted content aimed at black Americans. And they discussed the “<a href="https://www.ivir.nl/publicaties/download/ABC_Framework_2019_Sept_2019.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ABC framework</a>” that Camille has developed to understand disinformation campaigns.</p><p>To receive ad-free podcasts, become a <em>Lawfare </em>Material Supporter at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/lawfare" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/lawfare</a>. You can also support <em>Lawfare </em>by making a one-time donation at <a href="https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute</a>.</p><p>Support this show <a target="_blank" rel="payment" href="http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare">http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>