A new Thomson Foundation report explores what experiences in Hungary, Sudan and Uganda can teach us about helping societies withstand disinformation.
While fact-checking plays an important role in countering disinformation, lasting resilience also requires reliable journalism, a wider public able to assess information critically and institutions that support public accountability. Thomson’s new report examines why these four responses need to reinforce one another.
The report follows Thomson’s workshop: After Disinformation: Lessons on Resilience from Hungary, Sudan and Uganda, held at the Athens Democracy Forum on 30 September. An audience of more than 50 people joined researchers, journalists and fact checkers to discuss what makes societies more resilient to manipulation.
Speakers included academic researcher Dr Aida Al-Kaisy, Marius Dragomir, who is the director of the Media and Journalism Research Center, Abaas Mpindi, chief executive of Media Challenge Initiative in Uganda and Szilárd Teczár, editor-in-chief of Hungarian fact-checking site Lakmusz. Moderated by Gary Mundy, Thomson’s director of research, policy and impact, the session explored the connections between independent journalism, media literacy, digital information spaces and governance.
A clear takeaway emerged: there is no single one-size-fits-all solution. Any intervention should reflect local conditions on the ground and requires individual as well as wider societal support.
Click here to read the full report.
