B2 — Upper Intermediate
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £7 million campaign to promote London globally and combat online misinformation that portrays the city as unsafe or declining.
The move follows a report showing a sharp rise in negative social media content about London, including AI-generated videos spreading false claims, while critics argue the mayor should focus more on addressing the city’s problems directly.
Read the article about London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s £7 million campaign to tackle online disinformation and promote London internationally.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yz20qev7zo
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “scourge” mean? “Disinformation about London has become a truly global scourge.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What is the meaning of “relentless”? ”Sir Sadiq Khan said the city had been subjected to a “relentless and unprecedented attack of lies and hatred” on social media.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “in decline” mean? “Between March 2024 and March 2026, online activity describing the capital as a dangerous city in decline increased by between 150 and 200%, while migration-related narratives referencing London surged by more than 350%.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Should governments spend public funds on campaigns to improve their image? Why or why not?
- Share your insights on Laila Cunningham’s statement, “If the mayor of London wants to encourage more tourism, he should deal with the crime he has allowed to spiral out of control instead of suggesting that victims of crime are liars.”
- How can misinformation affect a city’s image and economy?
- How does social media influence people’s perceptions of places they have never visited?
- How can individuals help combat misinformation online?
- What responsibility do citizens have in shaping their city’s reputation?