Just Launched The 5th Edition Of The Disinformation In Society Report

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 5, 2025, 7:12 PM

Just Launched: The 5th Edition of the Disinformation in Society Report 🌎🚨 The Institute for Public Relations and Leger just released the latest edition of the Disinformation in Society Report, surveying 2,000 Americans on... Concerns about disinformation have returned to their highest levels since 2021, with 70% of Americans identifying it as a “major” problem — on par with issues like illegal drug use, hunger/poverty, and federal spending. Key Findings: ✔️ 43% of Americans say they avoid the news due to the prevalence of disinformation ✔️ At least two-thirds support actions from social media platforms, government, and businesses to curb disinformation, including... Disinformation Crisis Grips America, Paralleling Major Societal Issues: New Report Reveals Disturbing Trends Washington, D.C. – A groundbreaking new study reveals the alarming pervasiveness of disinformation in American society, with a staggering 70% of respondents ranking it as a major problem on par with critical issues such as illegal...

The 5th edition of the Disinformation in Society Report, a collaborative effort between the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) and market research firm Leger, surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults to gauge public perception of false and misleading information, identify responsible parties, and explore potential solutions. The findings paint a stark picture of a nation grappling with an information crisis, highlighting a concerning trend of eroding trust in traditional institutions and a growing reliance on personalized information bubbles. The report underscores a paradox in information consumption: While Americans express deep concerns about disinformation, they simultaneously exhibit a strong preference for news that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs. A significant 59% of respondents admitted to favoring information that confirms their perspectives, a phenomenon that contributes to the perpetuation of echo chambers and hinders productive discourse. This tendency raises critical questions about the efficacy of fact-checking and media literacy initiatives, as individuals may be predisposed to dismiss information that challenges their worldview.

Compounding the issue is the identification of major societal institutions as key culprits in the spread of disinformation. Facebook topped the list, with 74% of respondents holding the social media giant accountable. Following closely behind were the U.S. federal government (72%) and political activist groups (71%). This erosion of trust in established sources has profound implications for democratic processes and public discourse, creating an environment where manipulation and misinformation can thrive. Interestingly, the report reveals that Americans place the highest level of trust in sources within their immediate social circles.

Family members (82%), individuals perceived as similar to themselves (79%), and friends (75%) emerged as the most trusted sources of information. This finding highlights the growing influence of personal networks in shaping individual perceptions and underscores the need for media literacy efforts that empower individuals to critically evaluate information shared within these trusted circles. 🚨New Report! The 5th Edition of the Disinformation in Society Report The Institute for Public Relations and Leger surveyed 2,000 Americans to understand how they perceive deliberately misleading or biased information, revealing that concerns about disinformation... Key Findings: 📊 70% of Americans say disinformation is a “major” problem, on par with issues like illegal drug use, hunger/poverty and federal spending. 📰 43% of Americans are now avoiding the news altogether due to the prevalence of disinformation.

🤝 Personal networks such as family (82%), “people like me” (79%) and friends (75%) are the most trusted sources for accurate news and information. The report also explores political polarization, the growing role of AI, and who Americans believe is most responsible for spreading false or biased information. Read the full report: bit.ly/Disinfo-Report-5 Fake news is a total mess tbh. We need tech that actually shows us how info gets filtered... or we're just stuck in this chaos lol

According to the Reuters Institute 2025 Digital News Report, 54% of Americans get their news from social media. Regardless of our political alignment, we are all prone to cognitive biases that can leave us susceptible to falling for the traps of “fake news." Lee McIntyre's Essential Knowledge book "Post-Truth" teaches readers how... 10/7/25 Here’s Your Daily Disinformation Detox Reminder: Today, be aware of how scientific data can be manipulated or misinterpreted. Check the original source of the data, and be skeptical of claims that seem too good to be true. Remember, data should be presented objectively and accurately. Statistics or Integrity?

Statistics can illuminate trends, but without integrity and dignity, they risk becoming tools of distortion rather than truth. Numbers alone don’t carry moral weight—language does. When words are used to reshape or obscure data, they can sever our connection to lived reality and erode public trust. That’s why discernment matters: not just in what we measure, but in how we interpret and transmit those measurements. In a culture saturated with metrics, it’s the ethical posture of the interpreter that determines whether data serves justice or manipulation. NEW IPR Research Report: Disinformation in Society

In honor of Disinformation Awareness Month, IPR is sharing research highlighting the impact of disinformation. Sign the commitment to help combat the spread of disinformation in society. The Institute for Public Relations Behavioral Insights Research Center and Leger partnered on this 5th edition of the Disinformation in Society Report. We surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults to assess what sources they trust, how Americans perceive false or misleading information, who they hold responsible for spreading it, and what actions they believe are necessary to combat it. Explore more findings from the 2025 Disinformation in Society Report

This summary is provided by the IPR Digital Media Research Center. Let’s break down key insights from the fifth edition of the Disinformation in Society Report with IPR President & CEO Tina McCorkindale, Ph.D., APR. Here are three findings you should know: 📌 70% of respondents say disinformation continues to be a “major” problem in the U.S. 📌 Polarization persists in trusted information sources — Democrats are more likely to trust traditional media, while local news is emerging as a rare bridge between political divides. 📌 79% believe media literacy education should be part of the solution. At least two-thirds also support action from social platforms, government, and businesses to curb the spread of disinformation.

💡 Learn how 2,000 Americans perceive false or misleading information in the full report with Leger: bit.ly/Disinfo-Report-5 🚨 Call for Justice Researchers The The Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Division is inviting experts to collaborate on the newly published Areas of Research Interest. JAS develops and communicates evidence to support a safer and stronger Scotland, with a team of social researchers, statisticians, economists, and operational researchers providing robust, credible, and independent evidence across all aspects of justice. 📄 Learn more about the Areas of Research Interest: https://bit.ly/48MFltg ✍️ Respond to the call for researchers here: http://bit.ly/3Wlm76x #JusticeResearch #ScottishGovernment #EvidenceBasedPolicy #Collaboration #SocialResearch 📣📣📣 SG Justice Analytical Services has issued its areas of research interest. Lots of relevance to the Scottish Sentencing Council’s work programme, including calls for exploration of various questions relating to sentencing, public perceptions, mental health, human trafficking and violence against women and girls and more.

Better understanding in all these areas is really welcome! 🚨 Call for Justice Researchers The The Scottish Government’s Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Division is inviting experts to collaborate on the newly published Areas of Research Interest. JAS develops and communicates evidence to support a safer and stronger Scotland, with a team of social researchers, statisticians, economists, and operational researchers providing robust, credible, and independent evidence across all aspects of justice. 📄 Learn more about the Areas of Research Interest: https://bit.ly/48MFltg ✍️ Respond to the call for researchers here: http://bit.ly/3Wlm76x #JusticeResearch #ScottishGovernment #EvidenceBasedPolicy #Collaboration #SocialResearch To say that theological schools face financial challenges is, for those closely involved in the enterprise, stating the obvious. As long as theological schools have existed in something of their current forms in the US and Canada, with few exceptions, they have faced realities of not having the resources they wish they had...

Just Launched The 5th Edition Of The Disinformation In Society Report

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Just Launched: The 5th Edition Of The Disinformation In Society

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Compounding The Issue Is The Identification Of Major Societal Institutions

Family Members (82%), Individuals Perceived As Similar To Themselves (79%),

🤝 Personal Networks Such As Family (82%), “people Like Me”