Prince Harry gets another job with aim of fighting misinformation

Prince Harry has joined a panel which aims to analyse how fake news spreads in communities, one day after he announced he would team up with a Silicon Valley mental health start-up.

The prince will serve as a commissioner on the Aspen Institute's Commission on Information Disorder, the non-profit announced on Wednesday.

Prince Harry attends The Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on December 15, 2017 in Camberley, England.
Prince Harry will serve as a commissioner on the Aspen Institute's Commission on Information Disorder. Photo: Getty Images

The group is chaired by journalist Katie Couric, cybersecurity expert Chris Krebs and civil rights activist Rashad Robinson. Kathryn Murdoch, the wife of Rupert Murdoch's son James, who resigned from his father's company last year, is also involved.

From April, it is to meet several times over six months and speak with experts to find out how misinformation and disinformation spreads in the United States.

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A report will then be compiled of their findings, including solutions and recommendations, to be published in the northern autumn.

"The experience of today's digital world has us inundated with an avalanche of misinformation, affecting our ability as individuals as well as societies to think clearly and truly understand the world we live in," Prince Harry said in a statement.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex visits Croke Park, home of Ireland's largest sporting organisation, the Gaelic Athletic Association on July 11, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.
Prince Harry has landed himself a new job. Photo: Getty Images

He added it is a "humanitarian issue" which "demands a multi-stakeholder response" from advocacy voices, members of the media, academic researchers, government and civil society leaders.

"I'm eager to join this new Aspen commission and look forward to working in a solution-oriented approach to the information disorder crisis."

The news comes just one day afer it was announced that the Duke of Sussex has got a new job as a tech executive.

Prince Harry has been given a role at a mental health start-up based in Silicon Valley, San Francisco.

The Duke of Sussex is serving as chief impact officer at BetterUp, a coaching and mental health firm.

According to the company's website, they bring “together world-class coaching, AI technology, and behavioural science experts” so people can “live more meaningful, vibrant lives”.

News of the hire was first reported on Tuesday by the Wall Street Journal, which also spoke to the prince.

The prince revealed that he had been using the BetterUp app himself, however, his background as a royal made it hard to answer some of the initial questionnaire.

“I realise I’m an outlier so there’s no need to get the engineers on it!” he said.

“I was matched with my coach who, quite frankly, is truly awesome and has always given me sound advice and a fresh perspective, which is so valuable.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. Photo: Getty Images

The website for the company, which was founded in 2013 and provides mobile-based professional coaching, counselling and mentorship, lists the prince as a member of its leadership team.

The prince has been living in California with his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and their son Archie for the past year.

He told the Wall Street Journal that he has taken the job so he can "help create impact in people's lives".

"Proactive coaching provides endless possibilities for personal development, increased awareness and an all-round better life," he said.

It’s believed the duke won’t have any direct reports and he will work as the public face of the company.

Since the pair moved to the US, they have begun forging careers outside of royal life.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during a visit to youth-orientated radio station, Reprezent FM, in Brixton, south London to learn about its work supporting young people.. Picture date: Tuesday January 9, 2018. The Reprezent training programme was established 10 years ago in response to the rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio.
Harry and Meghan have set up a production company called Archewell Productions and started a podcast under the name Archewell Audio, inking deals with Netflix and Spotify. Photo: Getty Images

The couple have set up a production company called Archewell Productions and started a podcast under the name Archewell Audio, inking deals with Netflix and Spotify.

The companies are in addition to their charitable foundation, Archewell, which aims to "uplift and unite communities".

It comes after it was announced yesterday that the chief of staff for the Archewell foundation has reportedly stepped away from her role.

Catherine St Laurent joined Archewell in April 2020 and her LinkedIn lists her as the executive director as well as the chief of staff.

According to reports, Catherine has stood down and will now act in a senior advisory role for the foundation.

It’s reported the duke and duchess’ longtime advisor, James Holt, will now act as Archewell Foundation's executive director.

Additional reporting by AAP

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