In this special episode of Boardroom Statecraft, Ross Hill is joined by Insight Forward intern Sofia Bohan to discuss her research into modern disinformation and why it has become a core feature of geopolitical competition. The conversation explores how misinformation and disinformation campaigns evolve from online narratives into real-world political and security consequences, drawing on examples such as QAnon in the United States and state-led influence operations by Russia and Iran. Sofia outlines how social media dynamics, psychological vulnerability, and perceived credibility allow false narratives to spread rapidly, particularly during periods of uncertainty and crisis.

The episode then turns to the implications for corporations. Ross and Sofia examine how disinformation increasingly targets companies and executives, shaping consumer behaviour, investor sentiment, and physical security risk regardless of factual accuracy. They discuss how state and non-state actors exploit polarisation, influencer networks, and emerging technologies such as generative AI and deepfakes to erode trust and control narratives. The discussion concludes with why monitoring information environments is now a strategic necessity for businesses operating in a fragmented and contested geopolitical landscape.

You can read the full report at https://www.insightforward.co.uk/reports/