BBC Launches Global Signals Research on Disinformation

• •The BBC's Global Signals research assesses disinformation in Russian and Arabic markets.
• •Over 100,000 posts from disinformation accounts were analyzed to understand the impact on information integrity.
• •The BBC's presence in Russia is severely restricted due to state media blocking and jamming.

The BBC World Service has initiated the Global Signals research project to analyze the impact of its journalism on the online information landscape and counter disinformation, particularly in Russian and Arabic markets. Conducted with the Centre for the Analysis of Social Media (CASM Technology), the study assessed over 100,000 posts from known disinformation accounts and more than 54,000 posts mentioning the BBC across 11 social platforms between February and May 2026. The research identifies three key ways the BBC influences the information environment: directing attention to key issues, shaping interpretation through fact-based reporting, and acting as a trusted authority that debunks false claims. The study highlights the overwhelming scale of Russian disinformation and the challenges posed by state media investment. While the BBC is frequently mentioned in Arabic markets, its presence in Russia is significantly hindered by blocking and jamming, necessitating circumvention to reach audiences. The BBC World Service is noted for covering stories that local outlets and state media do not address.