Sadiq Khan Launches £7 Million Campaign Against Online Disinformation Targeting London

London's Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a £7 million campaign to combat online disinformation that portrays the city negatively. This initiative follows a report indicating a nearly 200% increase in social media posts depicting London as dangerous or in decline over the past two years. The campaign, set to launch in September, aims to promote London's heritage, culture, and innovation to audiences in Europe, the US, and Asia. Khan described the disinformation as a 'global scourge' that harms the city's reputation and tourism industry. The Greater London Authority report highlighted that social media users in Asia are particularly targeted, with over 15,000 posts in Japanese claiming London is lawless. The campaign seeks to counter these false narratives and restore confidence in the capital. Critics, including Susan Hall, argue that Khan should focus on addressing crime instead of merely promoting the city.

Key Points: • Sadiq Khan's £7 million campaign targets online disinformation about London. • A report indicates a 200% rise in negative social media posts about the city in two years. • The campaign will launch in September and focus on audiences in Europe, the US, and Asia.