DUBLIN, Ireland: Disinformation poses a growing threat to democracy and must be addressed with urgency, Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan said this week as the government published a new national strategy to tackle the issue.

The Disinformation Strategy, released by the Department of Media, lays out a roadmap for improving media literacy, boosting regulation, and supporting the role of fact-checking in Irish media. Among its recommendations is the possible introduction of government funding for fact-checking and "pre-bunking" efforts—attempts to counter false narratives before they spread.

"It is essential that fact-checking and pre-bunking activities are resourced properly, sustainably and transparently," the strategy says. It also calls for training and knowledge-sharing for journalists to improve the speed and reach of verified information.

Speaking on RTE radio, O'Donovan said disinformation had become a "global scourge" that now affects everything from democratic processes to daily decision-making.

"We are going to rely on partners including our public service broadcasters, our commercial broadcasters, and social media platforms themselves to work with us on weeding out something that's become a global scourge," he said. "It is something that we can't allow to be unchallenged."

He also warned that disinformation could do "irreparable damage" to people's reputations, calling for better public awareness and stronger accountability for those who spread false information. "There has to be repercussions in terms of the damage caused to individuals as well," he said.

The strategy proposes exploring a dedicated funding stream within the national media fund to support fact-checkers and pre-bunking organisations. It also outlines the creation of a Counter Disinformation Oversight Group to monitor progress and coordinate action.

Other key measures in the report include bolstering media pluralism, expanding local news coverage, and aligning with the EU's Media Freedom Act, which aims to protect editorial independence and ensure transparency in media ownership and public funding.

The plan also calls for a national approach to tackling "foreign information manipulation and interference" and backing international partnerships to counter disinformation campaigns.