An Oxford Conversation: the impact of fake news on our lives

Join Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, Damian Collins MP, and Sarah Montague, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s World at One for a discussion about the impact of fake news on our lives. Damian Collins has stated that ‘Democracy is at risk from the malicious and relentless targeting of citizens with disinformation’, while Simon Stevens has raised concerns about its effects on vaccination rates with the UK recently losing its measles-free status. The House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on Disinformation and Fake News painted a bleak picture of the ways that social media platforms are involved in the spread of disinformation in their pursuit of profits. Our speakers will discuss why this matters and how these issues might best be addressed, not only by technology companies but also by governments, policy-makers, the public and other relevant parties.