WEF’s Global Risks Report 2025

The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2025 underscores misinformation and disinformation as the highest ranked short-term global threat. The WEF defines “global risk” as an event that can adversely affect a sizeable portion of the population, the global GDP, and natural resources. 

The Rising Challenge of Misinformation

• WEF’s Global Risks Report 2025 ranks misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term global threat.
• Key drivers of the crisis:
  • AI-generated content & deepfakes.
  • Algorithmic biases & polarisation.
  • Declining trust in mainstream media.
  • Exploitation of social media platforms by political and non-state actors.

India’s Growing Vulnerability

• India, with nearly 900 million Internet users, is highly susceptible to disinformation.
• Political & economic impact:
  • Manipulated narratives affecting elections & democracy.
  • Disinformation leading to economic conflicts & consumer boycotts.
  • Foreign interference, including Chinese disinformation campaigns since 2017.
• Key findings:
  • 46% of disinformation in India is political, followed by 33.6% on general issues & 16.8% on religion.
  • China-based platforms like Weibo continue to push distorted narratives.
  • Meta’s potential rollback of fact-checking could worsen misinformation spread.

Global & National Policy Responses

• EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA): Sets a benchmark in tackling disinformation & foreign interference.
• India’s efforts so far:
  • Ban on 300+ Chinese apps (including TikTok) to curb foreign influence.
  • Initiatives like Shakti – India Election Fact-Checking Collective & Deepfake Analysis Unit during elections.

Recommended Strategies for India

Regulatory & Policy Measures

• Adopt an India-specific Digital Services Act, enforcing:
  • Regular risk assessments for major social media platforms.
  • Transparency in online ads (disclosing funding sources & target audience).
  • Stronger legal safeguards for journalists & fact-checkers.
  • Non-discrimination rules in content moderation policies.

Technological & Institutional Interventions

• Upskilling AI developers to improve algorithmic transparency & bias detection.
• AI supervisory boards & councils to oversee Generative AI practices.
• Increased investment in cybersecurity research to counteract misinformation threats.

Public Awareness & Fact-Checking

• Expand media literacy programs similar to RBI’s Financial Literacy Campaign with Amitabh Bachchan.
• Collaboration between civil society groups, regulators, and fact-checkers.
• Encourage independent research on disinformation and Foreign Information Manipulation & Interference (FIMI).

Balancing Regulation with Democratic Safeguards

• Avoid overreach & surveillance risks, ensuring free speech is not compromised.
• Promote global cooperation, as disinformation is a transnational challenge.
• Build India’s digital resilience while setting an example for the world’s largest democracy.

Beyond Combating Falsehoods

Disinformation isn’t just a technological issue; it is a test of democratic values, social cohesion, and national security. India must lead the way in building a fact-driven, resilient digital society, where unity in diversity remains unshaken amidst a polarized global information landscape.

TH