<p>The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has launched a campaign to combat planning misinformation after nearly a quarter of planners said they had been targeted negatively through social media.</p> <p>The RTPI has selected PR and public affairs agency Grayling to lead its work, following pitches made by 17 agencies in total.</p> <p>In March, the RTPI published results of a members’ survey, revealing that 87% of planners believed social media was fuelling misinformation about local planning issues. Members pointed to local Facebook groups and pages stoking misinformation “and allowing negative campaigners to skew discussion around planning applications”. </p> <p>Almost a quarter had been “regularly” or “occasionally” targeted through social media because of their profession, sustaining insults, harassment or receiving violent threats.</p> <p>Meanwhile, 41% of participants from local planning authorities said social media was affecting their wellbeing. Some said they had left the public sector or deleted social media accounts due to their experiences.</p> <p>Simon Creer, RTPI’s director of communications, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of responses to our brief, which was certainly the most I have ever received from an RFP. We were really pleased that so many agencies wanted to work on this vital campaign to support our …