2024: A Year Besieged by Disinformation, Setting the Stage for Heightened Risks in 2025
The World Economic Forum (WEF), in its 2025 Global Risks Report, has once again identified mis- and disinformation as the foremost global risk in the immediate future. This alarming assessment follows Meta’s recent decision to discontinue third-party fact-checking on its platforms, a move that potentially exacerbates the spread of false information. This reiterates the 2024 report’s warning, highlighting the pervasive nature of disinformation and its potential to destabilize societies worldwide. The past year has provided stark examples of the real-world consequences of disinformation, impacting communities and influencing political discourse at all levels.
Disinformation, defined as deliberately fabricated information intended to mislead and manipulate public opinion, poses a significant threat to democratic processes, public health, and social cohesion. Its less malicious counterpart, misinformation – the unintentional spread of false information – also contributes to the erosion of trust and the proliferation of harmful narratives. The insidious nature of both phenomena lies in their ability to rapidly evolve and adapt, exploiting vulnerabilities within communities and leveraging the speed and reach of digital platforms. Cities, as hubs of information exchange and cultural interaction, are particularly susceptible to the damaging effects of disinformation campaigns.
The year 2024 witnessed a surge in disinformation incidents across various domains, underscoring the urgency of addressing this escalating threat. From the outset, the WEF’s prediction of mis- and disinformation as the top global risk proved prescient. Throughout the year, disinformation campaigns targeted elections, exploited health crises, fueled social unrest, and hampered disaster relief efforts. These incidents highlight the multifaceted nature of disinformation and its capacity to exploit existing societal tensions, exacerbate vulnerabilities, and undermine trust in institutions.
The timeline of disinformation in 2024 paints a grim picture. A measles outbreak in Florida was exacerbated by anti-vaccine misinformation, highlighting the real-world consequences of health-related disinformation. A terrorist attack in Moscow was shrouded in a cloud of fabricated narratives and manipulated footage, demonstrating the potential of disinformation to escalate geopolitical tensions. Deepfakes, synthetic media that convincingly portrays individuals saying or doing things they never did, emerged as a powerful tool for spreading malicious content, as exemplified by the incident involving a Baltimore school principal.
The proliferation of disinformation extended beyond localized events to encompass broader societal issues. Climate disinformation campaigns attempted to undermine public support for environmental policies, while gendered disinformation manifested in the form of harmful deepfakes targeting young girls. Anti-immigrant sentiment was fueled by false narratives surrounding a tragic incident in England, underscoring the potential of disinformation to incite violence and social unrest. Postal workers in Wellington, New Zealand, took a stand against the distribution of Islamophobic pamphlets, demonstrating the crucial role of individuals and communities in resisting the spread of harmful content.
Disinformation campaigns also targeted democratic processes and exploited natural disasters. Local elections in Australia were marred by fake social media accounts spreading malicious content, while the aftermath of devastating floods in Spain was plagued by conspiracy theories and false accusations. The firebombing of a synagogue in Australia triggered a wave of online rumors and baseless claims, highlighting the speed with which disinformation can spread in the digital age.
In response to the growing threat of disinformation, collaborative efforts have emerged to understand and counteract its impact. The University of Melbourne, in partnership with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, developed a global playbook to guide city-level responses to disinformation. This resource, co-created with experts from various sectors, provides practical guidance for navigating the complex landscape of disinformation and mitigating its harmful effects. The development of a micro-credential program on recognizing and managing disinformation further demonstrates the commitment to equipping individuals and communities with the necessary skills to identify and counter false narratives.
The efforts to combat disinformation have extended beyond academia, engaging national governments, and international organizations. Discussions at the G7 and UN-HABITAT reflect the growing recognition of disinformation as a global challenge requiring coordinated international action. The ongoing Disinformation in the City project, supported by the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Institute for Infrastructure in Society, exemplifies the collaborative approach needed to address this multifaceted threat.
Looking ahead, the fight against disinformation remains a critical priority. The World Economic Forum’s continued emphasis on disinformation as a top global risk underscores the need for sustained efforts to address this evolving challenge. The project will focus on local-level responses to disinformation, recognizing that the impacts are felt most acutely within communities. By harnessing the expertise of diverse sectors and engaging with cities and governments at all levels, the project aims to build resilience against disinformation and safeguard the integrity of democratic processes, public health, and social cohesion. The pervasive and evolving nature of disinformation necessitates a continued commitment to research, collaboration, and the development of effective countermeasures.
