This is some recently published Charity Commission commentary on the risks associated with misinformation and disinformation:
- Charities should take care to ensure that information they share is factually accurate, which also helps build trust among audiences for any occasion where the charity needs to ‘debunk’ incorrect claims about their work.
- While it is not unusual for charities to be impacted by societal tensions and engaged in tackling their causes and consequences, a number of factors are currently contributing to a challenging climate.
- This is due not least to the proliferation of mis/disinformation and the polarised nature of social media, which can see charities become targets of criticism and in some cases has resulted in charities themselves engaging in inappropriate social media communications.
- Misinformation relates to onward sharing of misguided information
- Disinformation relates to deliberate attempts to misinform.
- Both can either be generated by third parties about charities – including from overseas sources, for example those with large social media followings – or on occasions by charities themselves.
- Regardless of the form they take, misinformation and disinformation present risks to public trust in the sector.
- Charities are usually best placed to use their communications channels to address incorrect information, but where appropriate the Commission will also step in.
- REPEAT: Charities should take care to ensure that information they share is factually accurate, which also helps build trust among audiences for any occasion where the charity needs to ‘debunk’ incorrect claims about their work.
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