Disinformation Is A Global Risk So Why Are We Still Treating It Like A

The UN’s 2024 Global Risk Report ranks mis- and disinformation as a top global threat. UN Development Coordination Office Chief of Communications and Results Reporting, Carolina G. Azevedo, explores why youth-led, UN-backed efforts in Kenya and Costa Rica may hold lessons for building trust in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a world shaken by conflict, climate shocks and inequality, some of the most dangerous threats may also be the least visible. Disinformation is one of them. According to the recently launched UN Global Risk Report 2024, mis- and disinformation is not only a top global threat—it’s the one countries feel least prepared to address.

Over 1,100 experts from 136 countries ranked it among the gravest risks, and more than 80 per cent said it’s already happening. This isn’t just a communications issue—it’s a crisis of trust. Tackling it means protecting communities from harm while upholding freedom of expression and other human rights. Disinformation can unravel the threads that hold societies together. In settings with increased instability, it can tip societies into violence. It can also corrode the norms of debate and science-backed evidence that societies take for granted.

“Trust is our most valuable asset,” says Emma Tucker, Editor-in-Chief of the Wall Street Journal. Image: Robin Worrall/Unsplash In an era where digital technology is part of almost every aspect of our lives, the dissemination of information has never been easier or more instantaneous. Yet, in a world where false information can spread worldwide with the click of a button, a critical question arises: how do we safeguard the truth while a wave of disinformation threatens our information... Today, the proliferation of false content online is pervasive and exacerbates the erosion of global trust in institutions. In fact, only 40% of people say they consistently trust news.

As the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2024 highlights, disinformation is considered to be the world’s top risk in the next two years, and the fifth global risk in the next ten years. Addressing disinformation requires a concerted effort across sectors. Governments, media organizations, tech companies and civil society must collaborate to create a multi-layered defence against the spread of false information. Empowering Internet users with media information literacy, ensuring the independence and viability of news organizations, and leveraging technology to distinguish between credible journalism and disinformation are vital to countering the spread of false information. These key actions were discussed at the Forum’s 54th Annual Meeting in Davos in the session titled ‘Defending Truth’, which included experts across sectors and specializations. Participants included Věra Jourová, European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency; Meredith Kopit Levien, New York Times President and Chief Executive Officer; Jeanne Bourgault, Internews President and Chief Executive Officer; and Emma Tucker, The...

Disinformation Is the Real Threat to Democracy and Public Health Disinformation abounds, and it can kill. Fortunately, it can often be unambiguously identified By Stephan Lewandowsky, Sander van der Linden & Andy Norman House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) speaks to reporters before heading into a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Disinformation is the coin of the modern realm. Vaccine denial, climate denial, election denial and war-crime denial have joined the grotesque denial of the Holocaust in the ranks of dishonesties now regularly foisted on the public. We can, however, do something about this crisis of the information age. Public Education Forum a NAFO Initiative We live in an era where information is abundant, but truth is increasingly scarce. Disinformation—the deliberate spread of false information with the intent to deceive—has become one of the most insidious threats to democracy, public trust, and social stability.

Unlike misinformation, which is false information shared unknowingly, disinformation is crafted with intent, making it a powerful weapon against civil society. The consequences of this assault on truth are dire. by Open Minds Foundation | Uncategorized According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2024, misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the most severe global risk over the next two years, and the fifth most severe over the next... 30–39-year-olds are the age group that are least concerned about it but it’s still a top three risk for them, whereas it comes only behind extreme weather for the top concern in 2024 for... There are also growing fears that the widespread use of misinformation and disinformation may undermine the legitimacy of newly elected governments and officials.

The report also suggests that the spread of mis- and disinformation could drive government-driven censorship, propaganda, and controls on the flow of information. As billions of people head to the polls this year, how can people be sure that they are making an informed choice, that isn’t influenced by mis- and disinformation? Global Risks Report 2025: Misinformation, Geopolitical Tensions, and Climate Change Top Concerns The World Economic Forum (WEF), in its annual Global Risks Report 2025, has identified misinformation and disinformation as the most significant threat facing nations, businesses, and individuals over the next two years. The rapid proliferation of fake news, the decline in fact-checking on social media platforms, and the increasingly sophisticated nature of AI-generated deepfakes are eroding trust and exacerbating divisions across the globe. This concerning trend, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions and the escalating climate crisis, paints a bleak picture of a world grappling with interconnected challenges.

These critical issues will be at the forefront of discussions when world leaders convene at the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20th to 24th. The report, compiled from the insights of over 900 experts across various sectors and over 11,000 businesses, highlights the growing vulnerability of governments, businesses, and societies to AI-driven disinformation campaigns. The ease with which malicious actors can leverage generative AI to create and disseminate convincing fake narratives poses a significant threat to societal stability and informed decision-making. The WEF warns that this trend is likely to worsen, leading to increased polarization, social unrest, and the erosion of public trust in institutions. In the near term, the report identifies armed conflict as the most pressing risk, with ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Sudan highlighting the volatile geopolitical landscape. Extreme weather events, driven by climate change, and geo-economic confrontations, including trade wars and tariffs, also rank high among the short-term risks.

The longer-term outlook is even more concerning, with experts predicting a surge in environmental, technological, and social challenges by 2035. These include more frequent and severe extreme weather events, resource scarcity, ecosystem collapse, the health and ecological impacts of pollution, and the risks associated with artificial intelligence and misinformation. The WEF emphasizes the role of generative AI in amplifying the spread of misinformation. This technology has empowered state-sponsored actors, criminals, activists, and individuals to automate disinformation campaigns, reaching wider audiences and achieving greater impact. As more people rely on social media and the internet for information, distinguishing between credible and fabricated content becomes increasingly difficult. The report also warns about the potential for algorithms with hidden biases to exacerbate the negative impacts of misinformation, particularly in sensitive areas like hiring and predictive policing.

People Also Search

• Disinformation Is a Global Risk. So Why Are We Still Treating It Like a ...
• Disinformation is a threat to our trust ecosystem. Experts explain how ...
• Disinformation Is the Real Threat to Democracy and Public Health
• PDF UNHRC Disinformation as a threat to human rights
• Disinformation: A Global Threat to Truth and Democracy
• The global risk of misinformation and disinformation
• World Economic Forum Identifies Misinformation and Disinformation as ...
• "Disinformation is the greatest global risk"
• Misinformation: Why it's a global risk that demands collective ...
• The rising risk of misinformation and disinformation