It sounds like EDMO Ireland, in collaboration with Media Literacy Ireland, has just dropped a pretty significant report shedding light on a growing problem: how disinformation affects the amazing folks who run our community and voluntary organizations, charities, and social enterprises. Imagine the people who are out there every day, working tirelessly to make our communities better – whether it’s feeding the hungry, supporting those with illnesses, protecting our environment, or advocating for important social causes. This report, spearheaded by Dr. Shane Murphy and Dr. Eileen Culloty, delves into a rather unsettling question: are these vital organizations, the very backbone of our civil society, being targeted by misinformation and outright hostility? And if so, what kind of chaotic ripples does that send through their already challenging day-to-day work?
Think about it this way: these organizations often rely on public trust, volunteer hours, and donations to keep their lights on and their services running. If their work is being undermined by false narratives or if their staff and volunteers are facing harassment, it’s not just a minor inconvenience – it’s a direct threat to their ability to help those who need it most. The report aims to get a clear picture of this landscape, not just by asking if they encounter disinformation, but by probing into the real-world consequences. Is it making it harder to recruit volunteers? Is it affecting their fundraising? Is it impacting the morale of dedicated staff? And crucially, what are they doing – or what do they wish they could do – to fight back against this digital onslaught?
To get these crucial insights, EDMO Ireland didn’t just guess. They teamed up with The Wheel, which is essentially the central hub for thousands of these organizations across Ireland. This partnership was a smart move because it allowed them to tap directly into the experiences of the people on the ground. They cast a wide net, distributing a survey to The Wheel’s extensive network, and managed to gather 200 responses. Now, 200 might seem like a number on its own, but each one of those responses represents an organization, a group of dedicated individuals, and potentially countless beneficiaries. Beyond the numbers, they went deeper, conducting 20 in-depth, semi-structured interviews. These weren’t just quick chats; these were conversations with organizations that had firsthand experience of being hit by direct disinformation or harassment. It’s in these stories, these personal accounts, that the true impact of this issue begins to emerge.
The timeframe for collecting this data – between November 2025 and January 2026 – is also worth noting. It suggests that this report is very forward-looking, addressing a current and ongoing challenge that isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s a proactive stride to understand and counteract an evolving problem. Imagine the courage it takes for these organizations, already stretched thin, to share their experiences of being targeted. It speaks volumes about the severity of the issue that they felt compelled to participate and contribute their valuable time to this research. Their testimonies are not just data points; they are the lived realities of dedicated individuals and the communities they serve.
This report isn’t just about identifying a problem; it’s about acknowledging the vulnerable position many of these organizations find themselves in and, hopefully, paving the way for solutions. When a charity promoting vaccination is targeted by anti-science rhetoric, or a social enterprise supporting refugees faces xenophobic slurs, it erodes trust and creates an environment of fear and suspicion. This research is a critical step in understanding the mechanisms of these attacks and, more importantly, in developing strategies to protect these invaluable pillars of our society. It’s about empowering them to continue their good work without constantly battling against a tide of falsehoods and negativity.
Ultimately, this initiative by EDMO Ireland, Media Literacy Ireland, and The Wheel is more than just an academic exercise. It’s a call to action, an urgent spotlight on a hidden battle being waged against those who strive to build a better Ireland. By quantifying the problem and giving a voice to those affected, the report lays the groundwork for stronger defenses, better support systems, and a more resilient civil society. It’s about ensuring that the good work being done in our communities isn’t drowned out or derailed by the noise and venom of disinformation.