Meeting the challenges from mis- and disinformation in the Pacific: Issues and policy responses

False and misleading information has been named the world’s second-greatest challenge in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Risks Report. The organisation, known for its annual Davos, Switzerland gathering of prominent political and business leaders, puts only trade wars and other economic conflict ahead of mis- and disinformation among global risks over the next two years in its latest experts survey.[1] Similarly, a UN ranking by experts from 136 countries named disinformation one of the greatest global threats.[2] Those messages resonate strongly in regions such as the Pacific. There, small island states not only face some of the world’s gravest threats from rising sea levels and related climate change impacts,[3] but they also face increasingly pervasive misinformation about such threats. The problem has grown with rapid increases in online connectivity. A majority of Pacific island states now report more than 50 mobile phone subscriptions per 100 population,[4] connecting their communities to global social networks with billions of members and enabling the virtually instantaneous distribution of both factual and false information.[4] We examine how false and misleading information has challenged effective Pacific region responses to climate change, as well as other critical issues around public health crises, elections and social stability. We draw on regional and United Nations initiatives and proposals to outline several policy responses that could be adopted, adapted or expanded throughout the region to address the mounting risks.