Warning of right-wing misinformation and conspiracy theories in Irish social media groups

QAnon is a debunked right-wing conspiracy that claimed, among other things, that former US President Donald Trump was fighting a secret battle against “deep-state enemies” and a cabal of child sex traffickers. File picture

There is a "very clear pattern" of right-wing misinformation and QAnon conspiracies beginning in Irish social media groups, an Oireachtas committee has been warned.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss electoral reform was told by Dr Jane Suiter, associate professor at the DCU School of Communications that it would not be possible for Ireland to rely on tech giants like Facebook or Twitter to fight the kinds of misinformation being seen.