Funding to help 'fact-checking' and 'pre-bunking' of fake news recommended in report

Disinformation has been described as a 'serious challenge' and 'global scourge'. Picture: Getty Images

Funding to support “fact-checking" and the "pre-bunking” of fake news is among the suggestions outlined in a new National Counter Disinformation Strategy.

The report, published on Thursday, finds that disinformation has a "corrosive inflation" on everything from trust in public health to democratic institutions, but warns that "eradication" of misinformation is not the goal as the problem will "persist and evolve".

Instead, strong measures to counteract such disinformation and educate the public on fake news should be developed.

The report has recommended that public awareness campaigns be rolled out and a Counter Disinformation Oversight Group be set up in the next four months.

As part of measures to counter dangerous disinformation, the strategy suggests that the expertise on fact-checking and pre-bunking in Ireland should be supported. This should include training and knowledge-exchange for those working in the media for the "timely and effective dissemination of factchecks, pre-bunks, and disinformation analysis".

The report states that sources of funding for fact-checking and pre-bunking activities, should be identified.

“The feasibility of a funding strand under the Media Fund for the fact-checking/pre-bunking community should be explored," the document states.

Communications and media minister Patrick O’Donovan described disinformation as a "serious challenge" and a "global scourge" which can only be met with a whole-of-society response.

He has promised that the strategy will be “funded and resourced”.

Mr O'Donovan said: "This strategy is a first step in setting out what that response looks like. Promoting media pluralism and media freedom, for example, gives people better quality information."

The strategy cites the existing Be Media Smart campaign, which will now be further developed to target specific groups and the existing media literacy network will be used to promote additional counter disinformation campaigns led by other organisations.

Media summit

A biannual summit countering disinformation via media literacy should be established, that would be aimed at identifying gaps in existing media literacy provision and provide a platform for knowledge and evidence exchange to support effective counter disinformation interventions.

In addition, three publicly accessible events will be delivered annually to help raise awareness of how to develop media literacy skills that may help to counter disinformation.

The document calls for the Government to develop a national approach to countering “foreign information manipulation and interference” and support international initiatives to counter disinformation.

The strategy sets out nine overarching commitments, and was developed by a working group comprised of representatives from industry, academia, civil society and government departments.

Chair and consultant in media literacy, Martina Chapman said: "Disinformation is a complex global challenge that threatens human rights and democratic values. It deceives citizens, distorts evidence, and erodes trust.

"The eradication of disinformation is not the goal of this Strategy. The problem will persist and evolve. Rather, success should be measured by the ability of multiple bodies to communicate, collaborate and respond effectively to produce the expertise, insights and support necessary to protect the public interest."