An inquiry is to be launched into the “growing phenomenon of fake news”, it has been announced.
The Culture, Media and Sport Committee launched the probe into the “widespread dissemination, through social media and the internet, and acceptance as fact of stories of uncertain provenance or accuracy” on Monday, the Press Association reported.
Explaining the reason for the inquiry, the committee noted concerns over people being fed propaganda and lies from non-traditional news sources.
The fear has been strengthened by suggestions that voters in the 2016 US presidential election were subjected to “possibly unprecedented” amounts of fake news, the committee said.
Damian Collins, chairman of the committee, said the trend was “a threat to democracy and undermines confidence in the media in general”.
The Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe said: “Just as major tech companies have accepted they have a social responsibility to combat piracy online and the illegal sharing of content, they also need to help address the spreading of fake news on social media platforms
“Consumers should also be given new tools to help them assess the origin and likely veracity of news stories they read online.
“The committee will be investigating these issues as well as looking into the sources of fake news, what motivates people to spread it and how it has been used around elections and other important political debates.”
The group of cross-party MPs will look at whether changes in the selling and placing of advertising have encouraged the growth of fake news, and the responsibilities of search engines and social media sites in curtailing its spread.
Full details of the inquiry and how to participate will be on the committee’s website on Monday.