– “We’ve learned that debunking disinformation in real time, providing evidence-based reporting, and collaborating with other organizations can effectively limit the spread of false narratives”.
Bellingcat is currently working on a project supported by the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation, to increase knowledge and awareness among the general public and other stakeholders, about anti-democratic movements online, how they operate, and highlight the danger these groups, individuals, and ideologies pose to democracy.
We had the opportunity to interview Eliot Higgins at Bellingcat and hear his thoughts and reflections on the election year 2024, and the growing far-right movement, and its effects. You can read the interview here.
Looking back at the super election year of 2024, we saw far-right movements in Europe and the USA work hard to exploit economic anxieties, migration fears, and disinformation to sway voters, though their successes were mixed. In several European countries, these groups did gain more ground, but many others pushed back with broad coalitions that rejected extremism. Meanwhile in the U.S., while far-right rhetoric remained pervasive — often amplified by social media — organized opposition and a strong voter turnout helped prevent the worst outcomes. By year’s end, it was clear that these movements aren’t on an inevitable path to victory, but they also aren’t going away anytime soon. Above all, the past year showed that civic engagement, fact-checking, and a collective push for transparency can still make a meaningful difference in containing and countering extremist ideologies.
They’re moving quickly to capitalize on any lingering frustration and anger from the election cycle, using online channels to spread disinformation and build a sense of grievance among their supporters. We’re also seeing more coordinated efforts across borders, with groups sharing tactics and messaging aimed at sowing doubt in democratic institutions and processes. Even in places where they didn’t achieve major electoral wins, these movements are finding ways to stay relevant by tapping into cultural flashpoints and pushing narratives that feed distrust and division.
The 2024 election year showed that far-right and anti-democratic groups have become more adept at leveraging social media and alternative news platforms to spread their messages quickly and broadly. They’ve also been more strategic about aligning with mainstream political figures, creating alliances that might have seemed unlikely a few years ago. Compared to before 2024, there’s a heightened sense of urgency among these groups—whether they made electoral gains or not—because they see opportunities to tap into voter anxieties about the economy, national identity, and global conflicts.
A Trump comeback would undoubtedly amplify certain far-right voices and embolden individuals who see his rhetoric as a green light for more extreme positions. While I still believe it could lead to significant challenges for democratic institutions, the political landscape has shifted, and there are stronger coalitions and watchdog groups ready to push back. So, while the risks remain, it’s not as clear-cut a disaster scenario as it once seemed — it really depends on how prepared civil society and democratic institutions are to respond.
Absolutely. Sometimes the fear of a figure like Trump can generate a level of civic engagement that actually offsets his potential impact. People who might have been politically disengaged often rally in response, and that can lead to a more energized and informed electorate. So it’s possible that while many are concerned, this anxiety could also foster robust political participation, which might dampen the effects of a Trump resurgence more than expected.
One key takeaway is the importance of staying proactive rather than just reacting to crises as they arise. We’ve learned that debunking disinformation in real time, providing evidence-based reporting, and collaborating with other organizations can effectively limit the spread of false narratives. Another lesson is the necessity of understanding local contexts — these movements adapt their messaging for different cultural and political environments, so we have to tailor our approaches too. Ultimately, building trust through transparency and consistent, accurate reporting remains essential.
In many ways, they’ve reinforced our commitment to monitoring disinformation and holding powerful figures to account. We’ve seen increased interest and support for investigative journalism, both from the public and from partners who recognize the value of independent verification and thorough research. This also means we’ve had to expand our methodologies and train more people to handle the volume of digital and open-source data available. It’s been challenging, but it’s also validated the importance of what we do.
Yes, there have been bright spots. We’ve seen communities and organizations come together in new ways, sharing knowledge and tools to identify and counter misleading information. Grassroots initiatives have sprung up to encourage fact-checking and civil dialogue, showing that when people get involved, they can push back against extremism. Moving forward, I hope we can keep fostering these collaborations, invest in media literacy education, and continue building momentum behind investigative work that shines a light on corruption and false narratives. If we can do that, there’s a real chance to strengthen our democratic processes for the long haul.
– “We’ve learned that debunking disinformation in real time, providing
Happy New Year! Let’s start 2025. We have returned in
Many of the employees at the Swedish Postcode Lottery Foundation