Context:
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.
