Reinforcing democracy: Preventing and combating misinformation and disinformation

• Misinformation: false or inaccurate information not disseminated with the intention of deceiving the public
• Disinformation: false, inaccurate, or misleading information deliberately created, presented and disseminated to deceive the public
  
  

The real dangers of mis- and disinformation

• It can fuel declining public trust in institutions and disenchantment with democratic processes
• It can distort a country's domestic policies and election systems
• It can undermine efforts to protect public health, national interests and national security
• It can undermine government's ability to implement policies

The problem is global:

• All countries are vulnerable to sophisticated and dangerous disinformation
• "Industrialised disinformation" involving a multitude of actors – domestic, international, state, non-state, private firms, and digital intermediaries - is growing rapidly

How is OECD responding to help governments?

• The threats posed calls for both preventive and reactive strategies while protecting freedom of expression and enhancing the crucial roles of media/civil society in the fight against mis- and disinformation.
• Through our initiative on "Reinforcing Democracy", the OECD is actively engaged in exploring key trends and supporting members in developing potential responses, including the following key areas:
  
  

• Understanding disinformation campaigns;
• Designing regulatory and non-regulatory measures;
• Fostering integrity and transparency in lobbying;
• Enhancing the ability of the public communication function to identify, prevent and respond to harmful content;
• Protecting independent media and civic space;
• Promoting civic and media responses, such as media literacy, that build a more resilient information ecosystem.

Only a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder and whole of government approach will help curb the threats posed by mis- and disinformation, and help build resilience and protect media and information ecosystems.

Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General, OECD,  speaking at UNGA “Summit for Information and Democracy” session "Misinformation and freedom of information on social media – How can democracies respond to infodemics?"  24 September 2021

Reports and documents:

• International Report on Public Communication: The Global Context and the Way Forward (Forthcoming 2021)
• Enhancing public trust in COVID-19 vaccination: The role of governments (2021)
• Governance responses to disinformation (2020)
• Combatting COVID-19 disinformation on online platforms (2020)

Events:

• Strengthening democracy: High-level policy discussion on the governance of information and the role of traditional and social media – 17 March 2021