Disinformation is a growing risk to the health of many democratic systems. This project will assess how leading UK public service media are addressing and counteracting it in news reporting. 

The rise of disinformation about politics and public affairs represents an existential threat to democratic governance in many countries. Over recent years public trust in the news has declined and the legitimacy of journalism has been undermined. By engaging with public service media (BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) and a commercial news organisation (Sky News), this project will develop a UK comparative study that analyses disinformation reporting and examines how news audiences respond to it. By interviewing senior editors to identify where TV, online and social media platforms can more effectively counter disinformation and communicate this reporting, the aim of the project will be to enhance journalistic legitimacy in ways that better serve the democratic needs of citizens.

This project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.