Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January to Written Question 908935 on Social Media: Information Warfare, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of disinformation on social media on the efficacy of news reporting.

The Internet has greatly enhanced the public’s access to news and political engagement, but it has also created unforeseen challenges to the accuracy of information. Government is committed to maintaining a news environment, both online and offline, where accurate content can prevail and high-quality media has a sustainable future. The Cairncross Review into press sustainability was published on 12th February 2019 and considered the roles of tech platforms, digital advertising, media literacy and subsidisation. The Government will now assess Dame Frances' recommendations and respond later in 2019.