Resisting information disorder in the Global South

Even while information disorder (developing and sharing false information) is a widespread and growing problem in countries in the Global South, the phenomenon is dominated by case studies, research and models from the Global North. Knowledge of the various manifestations of information disorder, the range of responses, and the success rate of interventions to counter the disorder is fragmented.

A scoping study mapped the actors, strategies and approaches in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and Asia who are working to counter information disorder. It found that organizations address information disorder as a multi-level problem embedded in a range of social, political and economic conditions that reflect historical experiences and wider concerns among civil society actors. In addition, actors and organizations working to counter misinformation increasingly link issues such as freedom of expression, access to digital platforms, communication rights and media literacy together in their work. The study recommended a research agenda for future work that accounts for this landscape.

This project builds on this pre-existing research and its recommendations. It will take a thematic approach to identify the key drivers of information disorder in the Global South and evaluate appropriate responses and strategies. The goal is to support and influence future policy and governance interventions.