Prince Harry calls misinformation a 'global humanitarian issue', contributes to new study

Prince Harry has called online misinformation a "global humanitarian issue" and has pointed to a new report calling for robust policies and investment in local journalism as a way to tackle the problem.

The Duke of Sussex's words come amid the release of a report by US thinktank the Aspen Institute, which released its six-month study into "information disorder" on November 15.

Harry contributed to the report, which gave 15 recommendations for handling misinformation in the coming years.

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In a post to the Archewell website — the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's shared charitable foundation — Harry spoke seriously of the issue, which he said affected "not some of us, but all of us".

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"For the better part of a year, we at the Aspen Commission have met regularly to debate, discuss, and draft solutions to the mis- and disinformation crisis, which is a global humanitarian issue," the duke wrote.

"I hope to see the substantive and practical recommendations of our Commission taken up by the tech industry, the media industry, by policymakers, and leaders. This affects not some of us, but all of us."

The 'Commission on Information Disorder' report released by the Aspen Institute put forward 15 recommendations, written by three co-chairs on the commission.

Prince Harry stood as one of 15 commissioners who contributed through research and working groups. Other commissioners included Kathryn and James Murdoch, and American computer scientist Alex Stamos.

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Each of the report's 15 recommendations emphasise investment in local journalism and encourage diversity in social media companies — with a particular focus on pressuring the US, the report also calls for the creation of a US government "national response strategy" for tackling misinformation.

Prince Harry has spoken out about misinformation in the past, with he and Meghan calling for companies to do more to stop racism and misinformation on social media on multiple occasions over the last few years.

In fact, just last week, the prince elevated his discussion of the topic, accusing British journalists of amplifying the "hate" and "lies" spread by some social media accounts while speaking at a conference in the US.