Prompted by an increase in false stories in the run-up to, and following, the US presidential elections, the Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry into the growth of fake news and its impacts.
The inquiry will investigate how fake news is spread by addressing the responsibility of search engines and social media. It will also examine the impacts it has on traditional journalism and understanding the world, and question the role of online advertising.
“The growing phenomenon of fake news is a threat to democracy and undermines confidence in the media in general,” said Damian Collins MP, chair of the committee.
“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.”
Collins said consumers should also be given new tools to help them “assess the origin and likely veracity” of news stories they read online.
“The Committee will be investigating these issues, 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,” he added.
Despite claims that voters in the US election were influenced by fake news and untruths – such as Pope Francis backing Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton operating a child abuse ring in a pizza restaurant – a study led by two US economists suggests that false stories were not as persuasive and influential during the US election as some have reported, with only a fraction of voters having seen the most widely circulated hoaxes and only half believing them.
Labour also launched its own investigation into fake news, led by former shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher, which warned the party of misinformation coming from the left and right.
