Trend Disinformation targeting polarised issues such as climate and immigration

Summary

In its short-term outlook, the report expects false information to keep targeting the most polarised issues. The aim could be to deepen social divides on subjects such as climate change and immigration. The report explains that political polarisation, rooted in perceived disenfranchisement and inequality, helps misinformation spread in digital and social media settings. It also observes that disinformation campaigns can undermine social cohesion or inflame existing tensions, and can target outgroups in ways that increase harm online and offline. Linking this to state threats, the report sees hostile states using disinformation and cyber operations to worsen social divides, with marginalised groups especially affected.