New UK agency to fight ‘information warfare’ from likes of Russia, Burnham tells UN

Panel 1

Sam stands at a podium, holding a piece of paper. Andy Burnham (a recognizable figure but not named) is visible in the background. Andy looks slightly bemused. Sam looks around, shrugging.

Andy Burnham: We’re establishing a new national centre to fight back against the poisonous tide of disinformation and deepfakes from hostile states like Russia. Good heavens, let’s get to work.

Sam: I guess we have a duty to protect ourselves from the likes of them, but I’m sure this will be a lot of fun.

Panel 2

A cartoonishly oversized, well-meaning Alex appears, holding a globe. Sam snorts. Sam points at the globe, which Alex promptly loses his grip on.

Alex: Isn’t the globe a great way to show where all the bad guys are? We’ll track them with invisible ink and secret agents who can hide in shadows.

Sam: If only it were that simple, Alex. We’re talking about deepfakes and information warfare here. This could get a bit more complicated, I think.

Sam: And now the globe is floating in mid-air. Oh no! Information warfare at its finest.

Panel 3

Andy is standing in a room with a bunch of people, looking frazzled. The room goes quiet, except for a faint cackling from Alex in the background. Sam waves his hands dramatically. Andy looks defeated, his face a mixture of seriousness and desperation.

Andy Burnham: Alright, team. We need to get creative and innovative. And maybe a little bit of magic. Or is that just superstition?

Sam: I think we just need a better plan, Andy. And maybe a team of really good actors to keep up with the deepfakes.

Sam: And a sprinkling of pixie dust to help us all get through this. Oh wait, we’re talking about a national centre. We need more resources.

Andy Burnham: I’ll find a way to make it work, Sam. Together, we can stem the poisonous tide.