Disinformation: Analysis and research

With press freedom in peril and disinformation on the rise, now is the moment to secure funding for the BBC World Service, writes its director Jonathan Munro.

Europe is facing crisis – in our winter issue, we examine the threats to Europe within and beyond. We also eye up what’s in store for the world in 2025: from Trump’s return to the White House to the likelihood, or otherwise, of a ‘pandemic treaty’ – and more.

Gabriel Gatehouse and Matthew Sweet discuss what America’s rampant conspiracy culture means for truth and democracy now that some of its leading proponents may soon be in office.

Relations between big tech, policymakers and the online accountability community have become hostile and politicized, degrading efforts to combat disinformation.

The Pulitzer-Prize winning author tells Ben Horton how super-rich autocrats cooperate in organized networks to subvert the liberal democratic order – and what the world must do to stop them.

Moscow’s agents are trying to destabilize Ukraine’s supporters – but while the Baltic states and Finland are boldly countering Russian espionage, others are more reticent, reports Helen Fitzwilliam.

Digital platforms are part of the political infrastructure. Our options are limited when they break.

As differences in political values and priorities intensify global cooperation on AI safety, scientist-led venues demonstrate their worth.

After a breakaway part of Moldova appeals for Russian protection, evidence mounts that Moscow is stepping up interference in the eastern European state ahead of key elections.

The interview served up Putin’s dense justifications for his war in Ukraine. It also displayed the common ground he shares with leading Trump supporters.

Vladimir Putin’s victory is certain, but the ‘menu of manipulation’ to ensure it will reveal much about the state of his regime, write Ben Noble and Nikolai Petrov.

Taipei is preparing for possible conflict with cheap drones, better-trained troops and well-prepared civilians, writes Helen Fitzwilliam.

How Republican and Democrat opponents tackle the Trumpist radicalized right will determine whether democratic norms survive, writes Leslie Vinjamuri.

AI-generated fake videos, ‘rumour bombs’ and ‘disinfo’ threaten key votes in America, India and beyond, writes Helen Fitzwilliam.

The case of Iran shows that countering covert action in the digital age requires transparency, persistence and international cooperation. But also that it is unrealistic to expect states to stop completely.

Digital intelligence is crucial to tackle tactics and narratives engaged with by Russians which shape mentalities and prolong support for the Ukraine invasion.

Thanks to state repression, digital competitors and a decline of trust, journalism is in crisis globally – that’s bad news for democracy, writes Fiona O’Brien.

Search engines with the latest ‘generative AI’ obscure the sources for their responses. The result is a breeding ground for disinformation, writes Jessica Cecil.

Addressing the sale of digital insecurity requires addressing its root causes and a coherent response from states, civil society, and the private sector.

Relying on weak intelligence for invading Iraq has had a negative impact on US and UK credibility with several consequences that persist to this day.

This essay collection explores two decades of state-building in Iraq and the lessons to be learned.

How to regulate digital platforms, the last fortress for democratic and participatory civic engagement.

Ahead of Nigeria’s most technologically advanced election, the security of its election infrastructure is under intense scrutiny.

Episode 16 of our weekly podcast examines the global impact of Russia’s war on Ukraine one year on from when Vladimir Putin launched his all-out assault.

Episode 11 examines disinformation in the US and Brazil, the role played by social media platforms, and how conspiracy theories percolate online.

Violence in Brazil has again brought into focus the need for technology platforms to prioritize social responsibility to help prevent anti-democratic action.

The attitude of Russia’s elite – and wider population – to the states which used to constitute the USSR needs to change in order to solve the Russia challenge.

Episode eight of our new weekly podcast reflects on almost one year of war in Ukraine, and 12 years of war in Syria.

The founder of the open-source intelligence outlet Bellingcat tells James Orr about Russian attacks on civilians in Ukraine and debunking conspiracy theories.

With a new government in place, will Sweden’s shift to the right change its aspirations for NATO membership, or its relations with the EU and UK?

By identifying and understanding the connections between gendered cyber harms, states can take steps to better counter and mitigate these harms.

This paper assesses Russia’s cyber and information operations against Ukraine, considers why Ukrainian responses have often been so effective, and outlines potential lessons for other states.

Ukraine’s media sector faces a wide range of challenges – not least the influence of oligarchs and politicians. This paper explores efforts to improve professional standards and public trust.

China’s highly restrictive approach to online freedom of expression has not only intensified under COVID-19, the government is also increasingly trying to shape global online technology governance.

The pandemic crisis has underscored the need for a whole-of-society approach to tackling cybercrime, disinformation and fake news. and power imbalances between governments and big tech.

The fallout from disinformation and online manipulation strategies have alerted Western democracies to the novel, nuanced vulnerabilities of our information society. This paper outlines the implications of the adoption of AI by the the legacy media, as well as by the new media, focusing on personalization.

This paper analyses the application of the sovereignty and non-intervention principles in relation to states’ cyber operations in another state.

Although some digital platforms now have an impact on more people’s lives than does any one state authority, the international community has been slow to hold to account these platforms’ activities by reference to human rights law.

Disinformation, as the latest iteration of propaganda suitable for a digitally interconnected world, shows no signs of abating. This paper provides a holistic overview of the current state of play and outlines how EU and US cooperation can mitigate disinformation in the future.