Today (3 December 2025), Luke Myer MP used a parliamentary debate on the future of local media to warn that rising misinformation, hostile state interference and algorithm-driven radicalisation are eroding trust in democratic life, calling for stronger standards and better digital protection for communities.

Luke argued that when trusted local outlets are weakened, misinformation spreads more easily – echoing concerns he has raised in previous debates about online radicalisation (8 September 2025), deepfake harms (12 November 2024), and hostile states weaponising digital platforms to divide society (17 November 2025). He warned that more than half of people now get their news from social media, where falsehoods can be amplified quickly and without accountability.

“People are more exposed to misinformation than ever before. Ofcom says that 43% of UK adults recall encountering misinformation – and those are only the people who are equipped to recognise it. Meanwhile, hostile states exploit this landscape. The Washington Post reported last year that the Russian Foreign Ministry is using disinformation online to weaken western democracy. Such tactics aim to destabilise free societies, and they rely on weakened, hollowed-out information environments to succeed.

That is why strong, independent and accountable local journalism matters. It provides trusted information about the places where people actually live. It can counter falsehoods with facts and create a democratic culture that is rooted in community.”

Responding for the Government, DSIT/DCMS Minister Ian Murray MP highlighted how trusted local news plays a key role in countering dangerous disinformation and the Government would be seeking to strengthen local journalism and better regulate digital spaces. The Government’s recently-published Curriculum Review also includes measures to strengthen education about fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

Luke welcomed the acknowledgement of the threat but pressed for greater urgency on media literacy, sustainable funding for public-interest journalism and stronger safeguards against malicious online interference. He reiterated that defending democracy requires both robust regulation and investment in trusted information at local level.