By Lucy Caulkett-
The rapid decline of local online journalism across the United Kingdom is creating fertile ground for misinformation, with misleading and false content increasingly shaping public opinion in communities that have lost trusted news sources, according to a major new study. Researchers have warned that local misinformation is becoming a significant threat to public trust, democratic participation, and social cohesion, particularly in areas where residents rely heavily on social media groups for information about local affairs.
The research, conducted by the Social Market Foundation (SMF), found that local Facebook groups and other online community platforms are increasingly replacing traditional local newspapers as primary sources of information for many residents. While these groups often provide valuable community updates and discussion, the study revealed that they also serve as powerful channels for the spread of inaccurate, misleading, and sometimes entirely fabricated information.
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Researchers described local misinformation as the “silent killer of trust in Britain,” arguing that the phenomenon has largely escaped public attention despite its growing influence. The report suggests that the erosion of local journalism has left a vacuum that is increasingly being filled by unregulated online networks, many of which lack professional editorial oversight or fact-checking mechanisms.
The findings come at a time when concerns about online misinformation are already high due to its impact on elections, public health debates, and social tensions. However, much of the public discussion has focused on national political campaigns and major social media platforms. The SMF study shifts attention to local communities, where misinformation can have immediate consequences for residents’ understanding of local government decisions, planning disputes, transport policies, and community relations.
According to the report, researchers examined online activity across 95 locations throughout the UK. After analysing the most recent 1,000 posts visible on various social media feeds linked to specific locations, they identified widespread examples of misinformation. The study found that nearly two in five local Facebook groups contained at least one instance of misinformation within their most recent posts. On X, formerly known as Twitter, the problem appeared even more pronounced, with more than four in five searches revealing misleading or false content. The researchers also discovered that misinformation was not limited to national political debates. Approximately one-fifth of all identified fake news posts related directly to local issues. These included false claims about council decisions, local transport projects, housing developments, public services, and community policies. Such content often appeared credible because it focused on issues that directly affected residents’ daily lives.
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Among the examples identified by the researchers were fabricated local authority announcements and manipulated content generated using artificial intelligence. One post falsely claimed that council meetings in Birmingham had ceased to be conducted in English, while another circulated incorrect information regarding an expansion of London’s congestion charge scheme. Researchers also highlighted misleading claims suggesting that public authorities were pursuing policies designed to make rural areas “less white,” a narrative that had no basis in fact but attracted significant engagement online.
The study also examined the role of misinformation during local election campaigns. In the recent byelection in Gorton and Denton, in south-east Manchester, misinformation was found in three out of four local social media groups monitored by researchers. The constituency attracted considerable political attention, with the Green Party securing victory and Reform UK finishing in second place.
Researchers also found misleading content targeting multiple political parties and candidates. One fabricated post falsely attributed an insulting quote to the Reform candidate Matthew Goodwin, claiming he had described Manchester residents as unintelligent. Another widely shared image connected the Black Lives Matter movement with terrorism while featuring photographs of senior Labour politicians taking the knee during anti-racism demonstrations. The examples highlighted how misinformation can be weaponised against candidates and parties across the political spectrum rather than benefiting any single ideological group. Overall, the report estimated that 6.5 percent of news-related posts within local groups connected to the Gorton and Denton byelection contained misinformation. Researchers warned that similar patterns could influence future local and national elections, particularly in constituencies where traditional local news coverage has diminished substantially.
One of the study’s most significant findings concerns so-called “news deserts” — areas where there is little or no dedicated local journalism. The report estimates that more than 4.4 million people in the UK now live in communities lacking a dedicated local news provider. In these locations, misinformation appeared significantly more common than elsewhere. Areas classified as news deserts recorded nearly three times as many misinformation posts as the national average, suggesting a strong connection between the decline of local journalism and the growth of unreliable online information.
The news, reported by The Guardian highlights the dangers of misinformation on many social media platforms, but does not confirm
Experts argue that local newspapers historically performed an essential democratic function by monitoring councils, reporting on public meetings, scrutinising local spending decisions, and providing residents with verified information about community affairs. As many local publications have closed or reduced staffing levels due to economic pressures, that oversight role has weakened considerably. The findings have prompted renewed calls for stronger measures to address online misinformation. Chi Onwurah, chair of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, described the report’s conclusions as deeply concerning. She argued that the government should reconsider recommendations previously made by her committee regarding the regulation of online misinformation and transparency requirements for digital platforms.
According to Onwurah, reliable local journalism remains a critical safeguard against the spread of false information. She suggested that principles such as responsibility, transparency, and accountability should play a more prominent role in the UK’s online safety framework. Such measures, she argued, are necessary to protect citizens from misleading content that increasingly fills the gap left by shrinking local news coverage. The government has acknowledged the dangers posed by misinformation but has so far resisted calls for broader regulation. Ministers have argued that policy efforts should focus on the most severe forms of online harm, particularly content that threatens public safety or undermines democratic processes. Officials maintain that existing measures already address the most significant risks while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on free expression.
Technology companies named in the report have also defended their efforts to combat misinformation. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, pointed to its community standards and misinformation policies, which include removing content that could contribute directly to physical harm or interfere with political processes. The company has invested in moderation systems and partnerships with independent fact-checkers, although critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent. Meanwhile, neighbourhood-focused platform Nextdoor said reports of misinformation are handled by dedicated professional teams rather than volunteer moderators. Company representatives stated that the platform maintains specific policies covering elections, manipulated media, political content, and public emergencies to ensure consistent enforcement.
Media industry leaders have argued that platform moderation alone cannot solve the problem. Theo Bamber, chief executive of the News Media Association, said the study demonstrates the importance of maintaining a strong local news sector. He warned that social media networks cannot easily replace the role played by professional journalists who verify information, investigate claims, and provide accountability reporting within communities.
Researchers behind the study believe that addressing local misinformation will require a combination of stronger platform oversight, improved media literacy, and renewed support for local journalism. Without intervention, they warn that public trust in institutions, elections, and community relationships could continue to deteriorate.The report confirms that misinformation is not confined to national controversies or international disinformation campaigns. It is increasingly present in local conversations about schools, councils, transport services, and neighbourhood issues. For many communities, the battle against misinformation may ultimately depend on whether trusted local journalism can survive and adapt in the digital age.
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