The Economist: Disinformation Is on the Rise. How Does It Work?

The Economist featured Valent CEO Amil Khan in a major investigation into the global rise of disinformation and how it works. The piece examined the mechanics of modern disinformation operations, drawing on practitioners and researchers at the frontier of the field. Amil's perspective — rooted in years of operational investigation work — offered the publication something rarer than academic analysis: the view from inside active campaigns.

The Economist's coverage came at a moment when disinformation was moving from a niche concern to a mainstream political and business risk. The question the piece asked — how does it actually work? — is one we've been answering through our investigations for years.

Disinformation as infrastructure

One of the central arguments Amil has consistently made — and that the Economist piece explored — is that disinformation is best understood not as a collection of false claims, but as infrastructure. Campaigns are built, funded, and operated. They use specific account types in specific roles. They follow patterns that are detectable, once you know what you're looking for.

This reframing matters enormously for how institutions respond. If disinformation is just lies, the response is fact-checking. If disinformation is infrastructure, the response is intelligence — mapping the network, identifying the nodes, understanding the objectives, and disrupting the operation. The second response is harder to execute but far more effective.

The global picture

The Economist's investigation contextualised Valent's work within a broader global trend: the systematic use of disinformation by state and non-state actors to shape political outcomes, suppress opposition, and distort public understanding of events. From election interference to corporate reputation attacks to the manipulation of financial markets, the threat landscape is expanding in scope and sophistication.

Being recognised by The Economist as a leading voice in this space reflects both the quality of our investigative work and the seriousness with which the disinformation problem is now being taken at the highest levels of global media and policy. It's a recognition we're proud of — and one that comes with a responsibility to keep pushing the field forward.