The Disinfo Wars: Why Orwell Still Hits Different in 2025

The Global Risks Report 2025 identifies disinformation as one of the most pervasive and destabilising threats of our time, alongside environmental changes and conflict, as well as the highest ranked global risk over a 2-year period.

The spread of false narratives diminishes trust in institutions, polarises societies, and derails collective action on critical global issues such as climate change and geopolitical conflict.

Source: World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2025

George Orwell’s novel 1984 serves as a lens for understanding these challenges.

Written in 1949, the book explores the dangers of propaganda, censorship, and the erasure of truth in a totalitarian state.

Its themes resonate powerfully in today’s world of echo chambers and misinformation.

The Weaponisation of Information

In 1984, the Party wields control by rewriting history through the Ministry of Truth.

This mirrors modern disinformation tactics, where false narratives spread rapidly, often amplified by social media algorithms.

This also highlights how disinformation disrupts trust and decision-making.

For instance, climate change denial has hindered global efforts to address environmental risks.

Orwell’s concept of “doublethink”—holding contradictory beliefs—captures the confusion created by conflicting messages, making it hard to discern the truth.

Fighting Back: A Path Forward

Orwell’s book underscores the importance of vigilance against disinformation. Combating it in 2025 requires:

• Media Literacy: Educating individuals to critically evaluate information sources, and

• Transparency: Governments and corporations must rebuild trust through clear communication.

The Global Risks Report 2025 emphasises that restoring trust in information systems is essential for addressing global risks.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Truth in 2025

As Orwell wrote, “Freedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four.” In a world where disinformation spreads rapidly, reclaiming this freedom is more critical than ever.

The Global Risks Report 2025 reminds us that disinformation is not just a technological challenge but a societal one, requiring a collective commitment to integrity, education, and transparency.

By recognising the lessons of 1984, we can navigate today’s labyrinth of disinformation and reaffirm our commitment to truth—one fact at a time.

* The article is written by Dhaanyalakshmi Muralikrishnan, participant of "The Collision Room" by Astro AWANI, an initiative within Project Sigma, a global program by the Google News Initiative (GNI).