Misinformation Research Matters!

Most Canadians and Americans are concerned about misinformation (1,2). But earlier this year, a U.S. Presidential Action ended National Science Foundation (NSF) support for misinformation research, claiming that it interferes with free speech (3-6). 

This research is important, and restricting it can cause harm.

Individually, misinformation can cause loss of trust, confusion, stress, and lead to physical harm (7-17). For society, misinformation can create economic and political distress, prevent effective emergency responses after crises, threaten public health, and create or worsen violence and discrimination (7,8,12,15-25).

Misinformation has broad impact, and is studied by many disciplines including computer science, economics, politics, law, and social science (16,26). This research helps us understand how false information spreads, how it can harm us, and what we can do about it (16,26,27). Cuts to this research may mean fewer solutions to the problems created by misinformation.

The statements from the White House and the NSF claim that misinformation research hurts free speech (3,4). This is not true. Many evidence-based responses to misinformation involve empowering people to navigate the internet better without removing any posts (17,28,29). Moderating false information online – which is supported by most Americans, though support has declined slightly over the past few years – is only one tool in the toolbelt (30-32).