New Shared Goals podcast episode with Fact Check NI on misinformation and disinformation
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) have released the latest episode of its ‘Shared Goals’ podcast focusing on misinformation and disinformation, with Dr Orna Young, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Fact Check NI.
In this episode, Dr Orna Young and NIHRC staff discuss the meaning of the terms misinformation and disinformation, explaining their prevalence today and how it affects society.
The wide-ranging discussion touches on the work of Fact Check NI; analyses misinformation in the news and social media; discusses the impact of misinformation and disinformation on human rights; and shares how people can be vigilant about identifying it and thinking critically in their day-to-day lives.
Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, said:
“Human rights are affected by misinformation and disinformation in a range of ways. The Commission recently analysed the effects of online misinformation and disinformation on racial and ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland.
We advise the Northern Ireland Executive and Northern Ireland Assembly to take a human-rights-based approach to policy and legislation that considers and can address online misinformation and disinformation, and the harm caused to individuals and communities.
Thank you to Dr Orna Young from Fact Check NI for joining us on our ‘Shared Goals’ podcast to discuss this important topic.”
Dr Orna Young commented:
“Misinformation erodes trust, divides communities, and undermines human rights. I was delighted to join the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to discuss how we can champion good evidence and protect truth and accountability at a time when it matters more than ever.”
ENDS
You can listen to the episode at this link: Misinformation and Disinformation - Shared Goals | Podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Notes
Defining Misinformation and Disinformation:
Whilst there is no universally accepted definition of the terms, in this podcast misinformation is the dissemination of false information unknowingly, and disinformation is the dissemination of false information intentionally to cause serious social harm[1].
NIHRC’s work on misinformation and disinformation:
Find out more and read the NIHRC Briefing Paper: Racial and Ethnic Minority Rights and Online Misinformation and Disinformation, April 2025: https://nihrc.org/publication/detail/nihrc-briefing-paper-racial-and-ethnic-minority-rights-and-online-misinformation-and-disinformation
About Fact Check NI:
Find out more about the work of Fact Check NI here: https://factcheckni.org/
About Shared Goals: Our ‘Shared Goals’ podcast shines the spotlight on current human rights issues here in Northern Ireland. Human rights touch on every aspect of life. From health, to housing, to child protection, climate change, gender equality, and rights of persons with disabilities amongst many others. In this series staff from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission shall be interviewing diverse voices including academics, practitioners, and activists who are championing human rights, and to highlight current human rights issues.
Listen to all episodes here: https://open.spotify.com/show/6hKE25u2Le69Rj302LPgwD
[1] It is important to note that there is currently no universally accepted definition of misinformation or disinformation. The definitions of misinformation and disinformation used are the definitions used by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan. See A/HRC/47/25 ‘UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, Report on Disinformation and Freedom of Opinion and Expression’, 13 April 2021.