
The development of technology and the increasing importance of social media are transforming the way we consume information. The World Economic Forum’s "Global Risks Report 2025" indicates that as many as 5.5 billion people use the internet, with over 5 billion active on social media. In this digital environment, algorithms play an increasing role in selecting content for users.
Recommendation systems increasingly operate by reinforcing social divisions. Studies show that the more extreme the content, the higher the chance it will be shared. This leads to the creation of information bubbles and limits exposure to alternative viewpoints.
A particularly dangerous trend is the automation of disinformation. Generative AI enables the creation of fake images, videos, and voice recordings, making it easier to manipulate public opinion.
Threat | Consequences |
---|---|
Algorithms reinforcing divisions | Polarization of society |
Information bubbles | Limited access to diverse sources |
Automation of disinformation | Increase in manipulated content |
Rising Threats to Information
Disinformation and information manipulation have been identified as the top global threats in both the short and long term. Experts emphasize that the development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has dramatically reduced the cost and time required to produce content.
As noted by the authors of the Global Risks Report 2025, this has resulted in a surge of manipulated materials – from fake videos and doctored voice recordings to AI-generated texts. A particularly troubling issue is that social media algorithms often favor controversial or shocking content, further exacerbating disinformation.
Media in an Era of Low Trust
Global trust in the media is at its lowest in years. In a survey covering 47 countries, only 40% of respondents stated that they trust most news sources. This is a result not only of disinformation but also of growing social and political divisions that influence how facts are perceived. In high-income countries, concerns about the effects of disinformation are more pronounced than in developing nations. In 13 countries, including Germany, India, and Canada, disinformation has been ranked among the top five threats.
Meanwhile, technology is further eroding traditional mechanisms of information verification. Artificial intelligence can generate hyper-realistic content that is difficult to distinguish from authentic materials. The result is information chaos, undermining the foundations of public debate.
Problem | Consequences |
---|---|
Spread of disinformation | Undermining trust in credible media |
Algorithms promoting controversy | Polarization of public opinion |
Generative AI in the hands of disinformers | Increase in manipulated content |
Beyond false information, censorship is also becoming a problem – both that imposed by governments and decisions made by technology corporations.
Censorship and Digital Surveillance
Governments and corporations today have greater access to user data than ever before. The digitization of administration allows authorities to amass vast amounts of information about citizens – from tax records to voter registries. The report highlights that, in many cases, private companies have better insight into user data than governments themselves.
The issue of digital surveillance and media repressions are particularly pronounced in East Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. In these regions, censorship and citizen monitoring are rising rapidly in the rankings of global threats. For example, in Nicaragua, digital surveillance has already become the country’s fourth-largest risk.
At the same time, technology companies are exerting increasing influence over public debate. On one hand, social media platforms remove content deemed dangerous; on the other, they often arbitrarily block information, leading to accusations of bias and violations of free speech.
Fake News as a Political Weapon
Disinformation has become an element of information warfare between nations. Election interference, economic destabilization, and public opinion manipulation are actions that can be carried out by governments and organizations.
The biggest threats associated with fake news include:
- Creating false political narratives – for example, spreading manipulated information before elections.
- Fueling social tensions – reinforcing conflicts between different social groups.
- Reputation attacks – campaigns aimed at discrediting public figures.
The World Economic Forum suggests that combating disinformation requires better labeling of AI-generated content and greater transparency regarding the algorithms used by social media platforms.
Education as the Key to Fighting Disinformation
Experts indicate that one of the most effective ways to counter disinformation is digital education. Citizens should have a better understanding of how social media works, how information manipulation occurs, and how to protect their data.
The most important areas of education include:
- Identifying fake news – learning critical thinking and source verification.
- Awareness of algorithms – understanding how social media platforms shape information.
- Privacy protection – knowledge of security settings and encryption methods.
Without improving public awareness, the digital information ecosystem may become even more chaotic, making disinformation increasingly difficult to detect.
The full Global Risks Report 2025 is available at:
https://www.marshmclennan.com/insights/publications/2025/january/global-risks-report.html
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Most medical influencer posts on TikTok are FALSE
KFi
Researchers from East Carolina University Health Medical Center analysed 120 TikTok videos tagged with hashtags such as #naturalparenting, #antivaccine, and #holistichealth. The results of their study leave no doubt.
Dead internet theory is a fact. Bots now outnumber people online
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Already 51% of global internet traffic is generated by bots, not people. As many as two-thirds of accounts on X are likely bots, and on review platforms, three out of ten reviews weren't written by a human. Do you feel something is off online? It's not paranoia. In 2025, it's a reality.
The most valuable female personal brands in Polish fashion. IMM report
KFi
The ten most popular people in Poland in the "fashion" category generate over 1.5 billion contacts across all types of media in a year. Their value is nearly 400 million zlotys. The ranking was prepared by the Institute of Media Monitoring for "Forbes Women" magazine.
See articles on a similar topic:
Greenwashing storms media in Poland. Business feel the impact too
BDw
A surge in media coverage reveals a new reality: ESG isn't just a corporate responsibility buzzword anymore - it's a battlefield. According to the Institute of Media Monitoring (IMM), Polish media mentioned "greenwashing" in 619 publications and "eco-hypocrisy" in another 545 in Q1 2025.
Selfish Trap: A New Social Influence Technique
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Three psychologists from SWPS University have described a social influence method suggesting people are more willing to complete a task if it highlights a quality important to them, such as loyalty, intelligence, or rationality.
Radio in Europe. How Are Listener Habits Changing?
KFi
Radio remains one of the most popular media in Europe, but data from the European Broadcasting Union's report "Audience Trends: Radio 2024" shows clear changes in listener habits. The average European spent 2 hours and 13 minutes per day listening to the radio in 2023. This is 18 minutes less than five years ago but only one minute less than the previous year.
Who Reads the Press? Studies on Credibility, Reach, and Effectiveness
Sylwia Markowska
Press for advertising clients is an effective medium for building brand trust, fame, and popularity. According to global studies, it is one of the media with the highest return on advertising. Data collected by Polskie Badania Czytelnictwa (Polish Readership Research) indicates that the press also has exceptionally high ad visibility rates, as reading requires full concentration on content.