Editors have called for ministers to give more backing to the mainstream media in the fight against fake news.

The Society of Editors made the plea as it issued a warning that the government should resist the urge to rush towards censorship of the internet in a bid to tackle the problem.

The SoE’s calls come after the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee urged the government to make haste in revealing details of its proposed Online Harms Bill and to include steps against the spread of fake news.

In its Misinformation in the Covid-19 Infodemic Report, the committee has detailed evidence on a range of harms from dangerous hoax treatments to conspiracy theories that led to attacks on 5G engineers.

It added that online misinformation about Covid-19 was allowed to spread virulently across social media without the protections offered by legislation, promised by the government 15 months ago.

But the SoE has repeated its warnings that attempts to clamp down on misinformation would be likely to lead to censorship.

Executive director Ian Murray, pictured, said: “It would be far better if the government took steps to support the role of the mainstream media in counteracting fake news rather than attempting Canute-like to hold back the tide of misinformation through threats and censorship.

“There is a huge amount of work the government can do in tackling such online harms as threats to children, abusive behaviour, the promotion of self-harm and other areas where direct action could be taken.

“No one doubts there is misinformation and fake news on the web, but any attempt to tackle it is fraught with the dangers posed by censorship.”

He added: “What is needed to combat false information and rumour is knowledge of the facts as they are available, presented in a manner that retains the trust of the public.

“The mainstream media with its regulations and adherence to the rule of law is the best antidote to misinformation.”