Chamber and committees

Addressing the Harms of Health Misinformation

Submitted by: Angela Constance, Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Motion type: Motion For Debate
Motion reference: S7M-01200
Current status: Due to be taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 17 September 2026

That the Parliament notes with concern the increasing risk of the global spread of misinformation relating to public health on social media, including through the use of AI-altered content; recognises that accessible, science-based and trustworthy health information is essential to supporting people to make informed decisions about their health, maintaining confidence in public health interventions and improving health outcomes; acknowledges the importance of taking an ethical approach to information integrity, and that misleading or false health information has a detrimental impact on society; notes with concern the rise in vaccine misinformation that has been spread in society since the COVID-19 pandemic; agrees that anyone who is eligible for life-saving vaccinations should be able to access the care that they need without the risk of harmful misinformation causing unnecessary concern or fear; further agrees that every Member of the Scottish Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that they use factual, science-based and trusted sources of health information from the NHS, public bodies and academia to protect public health, and that members should collaborate to tackle the rise of harmful online misinformation.

Supported by: Alison Thewliss, Maree Todd