TO BE PUBLISHED May 2025
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This conference will focus on priorities for policy, regulation, and industry best practice in tackling disinformation and deepfakes in the UK.
It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss strategies for managing challenges associated with harmful and false content online, alongside implementation of measures to improve online safety and consideration of implications for freedom of expression.
Sessions in the agenda examine recent developments, such as the proposal to criminalise creation of sexually explicit deepfake images and related offences under the Crime and Policing Bill currently progressing through Parliament, as well as the current regulatory approach under the Online Safety Act.
Algorithms and business models
Delegates will also consider proposals to increase transparency in algorithmic decision-making and measures to enhance enforcement mechanisms for online platforms as the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee continues its inquiry into social media algorithms and their role in spreading harmful content. They will further consider options for adjustment of some social media practices and business models so as to reduce the spread of harmful content, including potential incentives or regulatory frameworks to support this being achieved.
International policy and news sources
The conference comes with the Foreign Affairs Committee having launched an inquiry into the threat posed to the UK by disinformation campaigns, and in the context of recent developments within the US regarding protection of free speech and decisions by major social media platforms to adopt community-based fact checking systems.
Discussion is expected on responsibilities of providers and creators in the UK, including priorities for establishing clarity for stakeholders, alongside strategies for enforcing accountability, sanctions and redress. We also expect a focus on implications of international divergence on approaches to misinformation and disinformation for policy, practice and social media markets in the UK, EU and globally.
The evolving landscape for journalism will be assessed, looking at what is needed to safeguard the provision of reliable news in a changing media environment, maintain diverse and trustworthy news sources, and support local journalism.
Media literacy
Further sessions will discuss support for consumers and citizens in navigating the World Wide Web, in the context of the increased prevalence of misinformation. We expect the agenda to bring out latest thinking on measures to promote resilience through education and digital literacy, and to enhance protections against harmful online content, including priorities for Ofcom’s Advisory Committee on Disinformation and its Media Literacy Strategy.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Chi Onwurah MP, Chair, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee (pre-recorded contribution); Krisztina Stump, Head, Media Convergence and Social Media Unit, European Commission; Julian McDougall, Professor, Media and Education, Bournemouth University; and Chair, Media and Information Literacy Alliance; and Kate Worthington, Senior Revenge Porn Helpline Practitioner, South West Grid for Learning.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from DBT; DfE; DSIT; DHSC; GLD; HoC; HM Treasury; Home Office; ICO, MoD; NCA; Ofcom; NCSC; DTCAGSM, ROI; Government of Jersey; Isle of Man Government; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
