The inquiry will look into the role of search engines and social media companies to find out whether they should take more responsibility controlling fake news | Fred Tanneau/AFP via Getty Images British MPs launch inquiry into fake news They will also examine whether search engines and social media companies should take more responsibility for the spread of false information.

A group of influential U.K. MPs have launched an investigation into fake news, the government announced Monday, calling the proliferation of fake news "a threat to democracy" that undermined "confidence in the media in general."

The goal of the inquiry, spearheaded by the House of Commons culture, media and sport committee, is to identify those most likely to be misled by false articles and to set an industry-standard definition of the phenomenon.

The inquiry will also look into the role of search engines and social media companies — including Google, Twitter and Facebook — to determine whether they should take more responsibility for controlling the proliferation of false news stories, sometimes written by outlets posing as legitimate media organizations.

“Just as major tech companies have accepted they have a social responsibility to combat piracy online and the illegal sharing of content, they also need to help address the spreading of fake news on social media platforms," Conservative MP and Committee Chair Damian Collins said.

Consumers, he added, should be given new tools to help them assess the origin and likely veracity of stories they read online.

“The committee will be investigating these issues, as well as looking into the sources of fake news, what motivates people to spread it, and how it has been used around elections and other important political debates,” Collins said.

The Labour Party in January also launched an inquiry into the political and ethical questions raised by fake news, which is due to report in the spring.