Defining fake news

Fake news is information that isn’t true but closely mimics real news.  It is purposefully designed to mislead, to spread confusion and distort the truth with lies, conspiracies and hoaxes.

It involves features of propaganda – in which untruths are replayed until eventually accepted.

The intent of fake news is to mislead - which can often turn deadly, especially among those who believe whatever they see on social media. Rumours can quickly turn into real-life threats in communities with underlying tensions.

Where does fake news come from?

Fake news is often carried on legitimate-looking sources of information. These could be online platforms, but can also take the form of manipulated voice and video recordings. These platforms are owned by community organisations, political groups and even governments.

The intention is to deliberately control narratives and affect how you perceive the world.

The stories are designed to be controversial and sensational and are more likely to be shared.

How does fake news travel in conflict areas?

Fake news is amplified on social media through bots – essentially automated accounts that look like real people.

In remote areas affected by conflict where Concordis work, fake news can easily be shared by word of mouth of opinion leaders.

The sensational nature of fake news makes it easily sharable among friends. Those targeted are often people who are likely to agree with what is being shared.

How does fake news affect conflicts?

Fake news affects how we perceive the conflicts around us. It reduces trust in traditional sources of information.

The sensational and emotional nature of fake news makes it highly divisive and easily turns people against others. In areas affected by conflict, it makes it harder to believe what the other side is saying.

Fake news inflames tensions in areas emerging from conflict and reduces the willingness to engage in peace building. It can lead to a return of hostilities in areas where tensions remain high.

How does fake news hamper reconciliation?

Fakes news sows mistrust and jeopardises reconciliation efforts that seek to craft pathways to peace and shared prosperity among conflicting communities.

It also erodes the credibility of organisations like Concordis that are involved in reconciliation efforts by casting aspersion on their supposed impartiality.

It also undermines ongoing efforts at peacebuilding for people who deserve peace and prosperity by inciting sabotage of existing agreements.

Such agreements often involve long periods of negotiations, sensitive compromises and immense funding. They act as the basic structure of peaceful co-existence and their collapse make otherwise stable situation very alarming.

How can peacebuilding tackle fake news?

Fake news thrives in echo chambers, and when people being talked about don’t have the opportunity to challenge the narrative that’s being presented. 

Concordis helps to break open those echo chambers, providing a safe space for an open and honest exchange of views, challenging fake news with people’s lived experiences.  Concordis’ networks also provide early warning of fake news stories that are spreading dangerously, then the team work with people from all sides of the conflict to correct the narrative and to find solutions to people’s grievances.

Ultimately, it’s about building relationships across the conflict divides, both through trade and social interactions, fostering goodwill and eliminating information gaps that can breed animosity sparked by fake news.

What can you do to tackle fake news?

Fake news is often sensational and emotional with no basis in fact. Society needs to keep up in raising awareness on the impacts of fake news. The simplest way to tackling the menace is to not share fake news.

Fake news fans the flames of hate and conflict. We encourage everyone (including you!) to test claims made on social media before sharing them, and to denounce fake news when we hear it, whether on social media or in social interactions. Encourage others to do the same thing.

A lot of the causes of conflicts are nuanced and long drawn. Rely on sources of information like Concordis who are directly involved in peace building with communities for an accurate perspective.