Combatting the Spread of Disinformation
Protecting truth so democracy can thrive
Disinformation is one of the most powerful tools authoritarians and extremists use to gain influence. By flooding the public space with lies, distortions, and fear, they manipulate people’s perceptions, polarise communities, and weaken trust in democratic institutions.
Truth in public debate is not a luxury, it’s the foundation of a healthy democracy. That’s why we are working to expose and combat the spread of disinformation wherever it takes hold.
How Disinformation Works
Disinformation is not just false information, it is the deliberate spread of misleading content designed to deceive and divide. It thrives in today’s fast-moving information environment:
Social media amplification – fake or misleading stories travel faster and wider than corrections.
Algorithmic bias – platforms often reward outrage and fear, making disinformation more visible than truth.
Coordinated campaigns – from bot farms to political operatives, bad actors organise to manipulate debate at scale.
Exploitation of distrust – once people believe “everyone is lying,” it becomes easier for authoritarians to spread their own lies unchecked.
Why It Matters
Disinformation corrodes democracy in three ways:
It poisons public debate – falsehoods crowd out facts, leaving people unable to make informed choices.
It drives division – fear and anger are amplified, setting communities against each other.
It empowers authoritarian politics – populists like Nigel Farage rely on disinformation to create disillusionment, then feed on that disillusionment to grow their own power.
What Needs to Change
We are campaigning for systemic reform to combat disinformation:
Real scrutiny from broadcasters – no more “both sides” platforms for falsehoods. Public service media must challenge misinformation, not amplify it.
Transparency and accountability in politics – rules that penalise deliberate lies in campaigning and close the loopholes that allow them to spread unchallenged.
Responsible digital platforms – tech companies must stop profiting from outrage and take responsibility for the harmful content their algorithms promote.
A culture of truth – where democratic debate is grounded in facts, not manipulation.
Reclaiming the Public Debate
This is not about policing opinions, it is about ensuring that public debate is based on truth. People deserve to hear honest arguments, scrutinised claims, and fair debate – not a megaphone for whoever can shout the loudest, lie, and divide us.
Disinformation flourishes when the system looks away. By demanding scrutiny, accountability, and responsibility, we can create a democracy where lies no longer pay.
We are committed to exposing how disinformation spreads and pressing for the reforms that can protect Britain’s public square.
