Sadiq Khan Urges Establishment of State-Backed Disinformation Unit to Combat Online Criticism of London
Article by Steve Watson via Modernity.news
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is advocating for the creation of a new government-supported disinformation unit to suppress online dissent against the city. Khan asserts that a surge of disinformation is undermining London, leading to real-world repercussions, and is calling for governmental intervention to compel Big Tech to take action – or face consequences.
In a statement on X (comments section closed, as expected), Khan stated: “We cannot overlook the connection between online disinformation and tangible harm. During the Cambridge Disinformation Summit, I discussed how the ‘outrage economy’ is eroding the fundamental trust that upholds our societies – and why immediate measures are necessary.”
We can’t ignore the link between online disinformation and offline harm.
At the Cambridge Disinformation Summit, I spoke about how the “outrage economy” is eating away at the basic bonds of trust that hold our societies together – and why we need urgent action. pic.twitter.com/sEHU2GwVQF
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 10, 2026
He reiterated his stance in interactions with the media, emphasizing: “It is reasonable to expect major tech companies to improve, but we should not depend solely on them. If platforms fail to take action, the government must possess the mechanisms to compel them. Hence, I will persistently advocate for a more stringent approach from the government, both publicly and privately.”
Disinformation about London has become a global industry.
The new “outrage economy” is growing – and it’s eating away at the bonds that hold our society together.
That’s why I’m calling for urgent action from social media companies and government.https://t.co/moPcAqSWdK pic.twitter.com/olXHoAftTe
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 10, 2026
Khan proposed the establishment of “a new centralized entity with the flexibility and authority to safeguard our democracy from disinformation and address the magnitude and pace of this crisis. Additionally, we require more robust enforcement of existing regulations. Without regulators like Ofcom wielding the power to penalize companies significantly, they will continue to act with impunity.”
He remarked, “The outrage economy is corroding the fundamental bonds of trust that unite our societies. This isn’t solely a challenge for progressives like myself. It is a challenge for all advocates of democracy – regardless of their affiliations.”
Khan also indicated, “The same entities targeting the capital have already commenced attacking other cities worldwide. In a few years, I anticipate that we will reflect on London as the initial battleground. However, I hope we will also perceive it as the genesis of the resistance.”
Civil liberties organization Big Brother Watch raised concerns on X:
?NEWS: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan wants to CRACKDOWN on social media posts criticising the capital, calling for a state-backed disinformation unit.
Disinformation is a real problem – but it’s also a term at risk of political exploitation by governments.
We exposed how counter… pic.twitter.com/OtQuZtOqWu
— Big Brother Watch (@BigBrotherWatch) April 10, 2026
As previously highlighted, Khan is waging a campaign to dismiss the tumultuous reality on London’s streets as foreign propaganda or American disinformation:
While Khan fixates on online narratives, actual statistics from his own city paint a different picture.
?REMINDER TO EVERYONE: This is Sadiq Khan’s London in 2025?
?The official Metropolitan Police figures since he became Mayor in 2016:
? Knife crime: +27%
? Robbery: +57%
? Theft from the person: +37%
? Shoplifting: +109%
?? Sexual offences: +64%
?? Violence against the… pic.twitter.com/jFg2DQUBjo— Gauci Reports (@GauciReports) December 9, 2025
On average, a rape is reported every hour in London, and roughly every half hour, a knife crime incident is reported. Nevertheless, Sadiq Khan maintains that it is the most secure city globally and dismisses any negative reports as “disinformation.”
Stop gaslighting Londoners.
The anger is about real crime on your watch – not “disinformation.”
London Crime Stats Under Sadiq:
– Knife crime: 16,147 offenses in 2024/25 – highest of your time as Mayor (up from 9,721 in Boris’s last year)
– Knife robberies: Doubled to over… https://t.co/6Wk5G8GazX— Gauci Reports (@GauciReports) April 10, 2026
Britain’s capital run by Sadiq Khan:
??Every 4.5 mins a phone is stolen.
??Every 1.8 mins a theft reported.
??Every 1 hour a rape is reported.
??Every 34 mins knife crime is reportedYet for Sadiq Khan, disinformation is the problem.
What’s your message to this vile man? pic.twitter.com/0ZCpWTaOs9
— The British Patriot (@TheBritLad) April 10, 2026
Big Brother Watch’s caution is well-founded. When officials label inconvenient truths about crime, immigration, and failing multiculturalism as “disinformation,” the underlying motive becomes evident: safeguard the narrative, not the populace.
Read our report, ‘Ministry of Truth: the secretive government units spying on your speech’??https://t.co/7SNlG7oiB5
— Big Brother Watch (@BigBrotherWatch) April 10, 2026
This mirrors the encroachment of a surveillance state masked as upholding democracy. Instead of addressing urban issues, Khan aims to monitor social media posts. Free expression is not the root problem – uncontrolled crime and open-border policies that facilitated it are.
The appropriate response is not the establishment of a novel government censorship body. Rather, it is citizens refusing to be deceived while their city deteriorates. Londoners merit secure streets, not speech regulators.
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