The government is today launching an inquiry into fake news', hoping to quell the spread of online lies and propaganda.
The inquiry will examine a number of questions surrounding the topic, including how changes in online advertising have affected the growth of fake news, the difference between alternative media' and outright fake news, and the way different demographics and types of people respond to fake news.
The investigation is being spearheaded by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Chairman Damian Collins has called the phenomenon "a threat to democracy," and warned that it "undermines confidence in the media in general".
The issue of hyper-partisan news outlets publishing heavily biased - or outright falsified - news stories has come to the fore in recent months, with claims that fake news influenced the outcome of the US presidential elections.
Such stories are often spread primarily through social media platforms such as Facebook, and Collins has said that the owners of these platforms need to do more to fight back against those spreading them.
"Just as major tech companies have accepted they have a social responsibility to combat piracy online and the illegal sharing of content, they also need to help address the spreading of fake news on social media platforms," he said.
He also called for new tools to help consumers judge the legitimacy and trustworthiness of online news for themselves.
"The committee will be investigating these issues," Collins said, "as well as looking into the sources of fake news, what motivates people to spread it and how it has been used around elections and other important political debates."
-
Should AI PCs be part of your next hardware refresh?AI PCs are fast becoming a business staple and a surefire way to future-proof your business
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
-
Starmer bets big on AI to unlock public sector savingsNews AI adoption could be a major boon for the UK and save taxpayers billions, according to prime minister Keir Starmer.
-
UK government targets ‘startup’ mindset in AI funding overhaulNews Public sector AI funding will be overhauled in the UK in a bid to simplify processes and push more projects into development.
-
UK government signs up Anthropic to improve public servicesNews The UK government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Anthropic to explore how the company's Claude AI assistant could be used to improve access to public services.
-
US government urged to overhaul outdated technologyNews A review from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found legacy technology and outdated IT systems are negatively impacting efficiency.
-
Government urged to improve tech procurement practicesNews The National Audit Office highlighted wasted money and a lack of progress on major digital transformation programmes
-
Government says new data bill will free up millions of hours of public sector timeNews The UK government is proposing new data laws it says could free up millions of hours of police and NHS time every year and boost the UK economy by £10 billion.
-
Three giant tech challenges the UK’s new government faces right nowOpinion Five years starts now, and there’s not a second to waste
-
G-Cloud 13: UK government 'inhibiting' cloud SMEs' ability to adapt to harsher business landscapeNews Suppliers on the cloud services portal have hit out at an extension to the current iteration of G-Cloud
