Misinformation Threatens Integrity of Upcoming Local Elections Across England

Concerns are growing in the UK about the threat of misinformation and fake narratives influencing elections, similar to those seen during the Brexit referendum. As voters prepare for local and parliamentary elections, experts warn that current restrictions on election day reporting hinder mainstream media from countering online falsehoods in real time. The Chartered Institute for IT highlights that almost two-thirds of tech professionals now believe media outlets should be allowed to rebut misinformation as it emerges on polling day. Past investigations revealed that social media bots effectively spread misleading claims during major votes, including the EU referendum, and that a significant portion of voters make their decisions very close to or on election day. These fears have led to calls for urgent legal reforms to address online misinformation during critical voting periods.