Fact Check: Since the start of 2025, the flood of misinformation, propaganda, and targeted manipulation has been on the rise more than ever.

The Rise of Misinformation and Propaganda: An Analysis

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny states that "since the start of 2025, the flood of misinformation, propaganda, and targeted manipulation has been on the rise more than ever." This assertion suggests a significant increase in the prevalence and impact of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the early months of 2025. To evaluate this claim, we will examine available evidence, analyze the credibility of sources, and explore the broader context surrounding misinformation trends.

What We Know

1. Misinformation Trends: Research indicates that misinformation and disinformation have been escalating issues, particularly in the context of social media. A review published in PMC highlights the mechanisms of misinformation spread and its implications for public discourse 1.

2. Impact of Social Media: Another study discusses how social media has exacerbated the spread of misinformation, especially during critical events like the COVID-19 pandemic 2. This suggests that the platforms themselves may be significant contributors to the rise in misinformation.

3. Predictions for 2025: A report from the University of Melbourne anticipates that the challenges posed by misinformation will continue to grow in 2025, building on trends observed in 2024 4. This aligns with the claim that misinformation is on the rise.

4. AI and Misinformation: An article from the Washington Post notes a dramatic increase in websites hosting AI-generated false articles, which surged by over 1,000% in late 2023. This suggests a new dimension to the misinformation landscape that could be influencing trends into 2025 7.

5. Political Context: As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approached, experts warned that disinformation posed an unprecedented threat to democracy, indicating that the political climate may be a significant factor in the rise of misinformation 9.

Analysis

The claim that misinformation has surged since the start of 2025 is supported by several sources, but the reliability and context of these sources warrant careful consideration:

• Source Credibility: The sources referenced include peer-reviewed articles from PMC, which are generally considered reliable due to their academic rigor 12. However, some sources, like the Washington Post article, while reputable, may have a specific editorial perspective that could influence the framing of the issue 7.

• Potential Bias: The University of Melbourne's report may have an inherent bias, as it is likely produced within an academic environment that prioritizes the study of misinformation and its impacts 4. This could lead to a heightened emphasis on the negative aspects of misinformation without equally weighing counterarguments.

• Methodological Concerns: The methodologies used in studies assessing misinformation trends are crucial. For example, the increase in AI-generated misinformation is based on tracking specific websites, which raises questions about the representativeness of this data. Are these websites indicative of a broader trend, or are they outliers? 7.

• Conflicting Evidence: While many sources indicate a rise in misinformation, it is essential to consider that some may argue that the perception of increased misinformation could be influenced by heightened awareness and media coverage rather than an actual increase in prevalence 35.

Conclusion

Verdict: Unverified

The claim that misinformation has surged since the start of 2025 remains unverified due to several factors. While there is evidence suggesting an increase in misinformation, such as studies highlighting trends in social media and the rise of AI-generated content, the reliability of these sources and the methodologies employed raise questions about the overall validity of the claim.

Key evidence includes predictions from credible institutions like the University of Melbourne and reports on the impact of social media. However, potential biases in these sources and conflicting interpretations of the data introduce uncertainty. Furthermore, the increase in reported misinformation may be influenced by heightened awareness rather than a definitive rise in actual occurrences.

It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations in the available evidence, as the methodologies used to assess misinformation trends may not capture the full scope of the issue. As such, readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions about the state of misinformation in 2025.

Sources

1. Digital media and misinformation: An outlook on multidisciplinary strategies against manipulation - PMC. Link
2. The disaster of misinformation: a review of research in social media - PMC. Link
3. Foreign Affairs Forum Recap: The Dangers of Modern-Day Disinformation and Propaganda. Link
4. Disinformation in 2024 was rife, and it’s likely to bring more risks in 2025 | Pursuit by the University of Melbourne. Link
5. The Real Impact of Fake News: The Rise of Political Misinformation—and How We Can Combat Its Influence. Link
6. Tactics of Disinformation. Link
7. The rise of AI fake news is creating a ‘misinformation superspreader’. Link
8. Emerging Misinformation and Disinformation Trends and Tactics for 2025. Link
9. Disinformation poses an unprecedented threat in 2024 — and the U.S. is less ready than ever. Link
10. Is 2025 The Year We Fight Back Against Disinformation And Deception? Link