The Irish Minister O’Donovan Welcomes Publication of National Counter Disinformation Strategy

The development of a National Counter Disinformation Strategy was a recommendation of the Future of Media Commission. Its report recognised that disinformation is a complex challenge and so recommended that a strategy should be developed to coordinate national efforts and furthermore, that it should not rely solely on regulation but should involve a wide spectrum of Irish society in dialogue with Ireland’s digital industry.

That is why the Strategy was developed by a working group comprised of a diverse mix of representatives from industry, academia, civil society and Government Departments, with consultant in Media Literacy, Ms. Martina Chapman, as the independent Chair.

The Strategy explores the challenge of disinformation in Ireland, its harmful effects on society and its complexity as a policy issue. It seeks to identify how the challenge of countering disinformation may be met. This Strategy is not about what is or isn’t disinformation but instead sets out actions which help counter disinformation.

Welcoming the publication of the Strategy, Minister O’Donovan said:

“Disinformation is a serious challenge which can only be met with a whole-of-society response. This strategy is a first step in setting out what that response looks like. Promoting media pluralism and media freedom, for example, gives people better quality information. Supporting media literacy, throughout our lives in our communities, builds resilience and trust which gives people the tools to identify disinformation. Effective implementation by independent regulators of legislation and regulation will help hold platforms to account. And coordinating and collaborating with stakeholders, including through research and innovation, helps identify the damaging impacts of disinformation so we can better design our responses. All of these actions not only counter disinformation but protect freedom of expression while supporting information integrity. Now that the Strategy is published, the focus switches to overseeing and monitoring implementation. With that in mind, an Oversight Group will be established and it will prioritise an implementation plan. I look forward to seeing good progress on this Strategy.”

The National Counter Disinformation Strategy is based on five principles:

· Principle A: Counter Disinformation, and Protect Freedom of Speech using a Rights-Based Approach

· Principle B: Counter Disinformation by Building Resilience and Trust at Individual and Societal Levels

· Principle C: Counter Disinformation through Increased Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination

· Principle D: Counter Disinformation through Corporate Accountability and Regulatory Enforcement

· Principle E: Counter Disinformation through Enhanced Information Sharing and Development of Evidence-Based Countermeasures and Interventions

To support these principles, the Working Group agreed to nine commitments which in turn are supported by 36 actions. Some of the actions are ongoing while others are new and to be commenced.

Martina Chapman, Independent Chair of the National Counter Disinformation Strategy Working Group, said:

“This strategy is the foundation for a long-term, collaborative plan for countering Disinformation. A coordinated approach, grounded in cooperation and respect for freedom of expression is essential. The commitments outlined in the strategy highlight a range of cross-sector actions to help address the complex and ever-evolving issue of Disinformation.”

(Sent by José Antonio Sierra)