On the eve of a general election, there is still no sign of counter-disinformation strategy

The potential for mass duping of people online was highlighted recently when hundreds of revellers turned up on Dublin’s O’Connell St to see a non-existent Halloween parade due to untrue information shared on social media. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

The publication of the country’s first ever national strategy to counter disinformation — initially supposed to be out eight months ago — is still in doubt, as the country heads towards a general election.

The National Counter Disinformation Strategy Working Group was set up by Media Minister Catherine Martin in February 2023 and various drafts have been in circulation since earlier this year.