UK
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/10/22/government-bans-phrase-fake-news/
Government bans phrase 'fake news'
23 October 2018 • 12:01am
The government has banned the term “fake news” after urging ministers to use “misinformation” or "disinformation" instead.
The phrase - a favourite of US President Donald Trump - will no longer appear in policy documents or official papers because it is “a poorly-defined and misleading term that conflates a variety of false information, from genuine error through to foreign interference in democratic processes,” officials said.
While ministers may speak freely in the House of Commons, any strategy documents referring to election meddling or internet safety will need to use the new definition.
The ban on the phrase was prompted by an inquiry into "fake news" led by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee to address the potential for social media to be misused to sway elections. It followed concerns that Russia meddled with the 2016 US presidential election and the UK referendum to leave the EU.
Facebook's technology chief, a former Google designer, Cambridge Analytica employees and Arron Banks, the Leave.EU chief linked to the now defunct data analytics company appeared before MPs to give evidence.
After completing the probe in July, the DCMS Committee released an interim report that warned of a “democratic crisis founded upon the manipulation of personal data which targeted users with pernicious views, particularly during elections and referenda”.
“We recommend that the Government rejects the term ‘fake news’, and instead puts forward an agreed definition of the words ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’. With such a shared definition, and clear guidelines for companies, organisations, and the Government to follow, there will be a shared consistency of meaning across the platforms, which can be used as the basis of regulation and enforcement,” it stated.
Of the 42 recommendations three were accepted and four dismissed, the committee revealed on Tuesday.
The government rejected proposals for a new tax on Facebook and Twitter that could be used to fund education in schools. It vetoed a change in the rules covering political spending online, so that limits are put on the amount of money an individual can donate.
It also refused to disclose how many investigations are being carried out into Russian interference in UK politics.
Committee chair Damian Collins said: “The government’s response to our interim report on disinformation and ‘fake news’ is disappointing and a missed opportunity. It uses other ongoing investigations to further delay desperately needed announcements on the ongoing issues of harmful and misleading content being spread through social media.
“We need to see a more coordinated approach across government to combat campaigns of disinformation being organised by Russian agencies seeking to disrupt and undermine our democracy. The government’s response gives us no real indication of what action is being taken on this important issue.”