The upcoming Makerfield by-election has become a troubling case study in how digital misinformation is fundamentally altering the landscape of local democracy. Recent data from the Social Market Foundation reveals that fake news circulating in local Facebook groups has surged four-fold since the campaign began. What was once a relatively quiet corner of the internet—where residents might discuss community bins or local roadworks—has been transformed into a battleground for coordinated disinformation. With nearly one in six posts in some groups now flagged as misleading, the integrity of the local electoral process is facing an unprecedented challenge, leaving many voters struggling…

In the heart of Addis Ababa, a significant step toward safeguarding the social fabric of Ethiopia was taken on June 16, 2026, as the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) and the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia (IRCE) formalized a new partnership. At its core, this memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a proactive commitment to ensure that the airwaves and digital platforms of the country remain spaces for spiritual nourishment rather than vehicles for division. By aligning the regulatory oversight of the EMA with the moral authority of the IRCE, the two organizations aim to create a collaborative framework that encourages religious media…