Times of war, instability, insecurity, and sectarian tension, times that, unfortunately , many Lebanese have grown accustomed to.
They’re terrible, and testing times for all citizens and residents in Lebanon, but when you work directly in the news, and in particular as a fact-checker, you don’t have the luxury of detoxing away from the news, or taking a couple of days off to recharge.
Testing times is when the work of fact-checkers is the most difficult, but also the most important.
As the war in Gaza evolved, tension started increasing on Lebanon’s southern border, and so did the fake news.
As one of the co-founders of Sawab, a fact-checking platform based in Lebanon, we found ourselves facing dozens of fake news a day. Some pictures from Gaza were circulated as if they’re from Lebanon, causing mass panic among residents that the entirety of the war has spread to Lebanon.
Leaflets allegedly by the Israeli army asking citizens to leave their houses before bombardment were circulated on local Whatsapp groups. Sawab stepped in. We verified that the leaflets date back to 2006. We talked to our network on the border and verified the events happening.
Many people were contacting us, and we were verifying the content that was puzzling them, but we want more for our people.
We want them to be able to verify some content and be able to identify what could possibly be fake and what could be true.
Imagine you receive a photo or news item at a time of crisis, your instinct might be to quickly share it with your loved ones with the intention of warning them or keeping them informed.
But you could easily fall in the trap of sharing fake news and spreading hysteria among citizens.
First, start by checking the credibility of the source. Reliable news outlets often have established reputations for accuracy and impartiality.
Then you can try and look for official government or organization websites or social media platforms, as they are more likely to provide accurate information.
Compare the information or image with reports from multiple reputable sources. Consistency across different sources increases the likelihood that the information is accurate.
Check the sender’s background and their social media platforms, maybe they have a history of being reliable…or not?
Analyze the content you have for a minute before sharing it. Look for sensational or exaggerated language and claims.Check for spelling and grammar errors, as many fake news stories contain mistakes if they are not circulated from official, professional, and trustworthy outlets.
Examine the image or video you have received carefully. You can use reverse image search using tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to check the authenticity of images. This can help you identify if the image has been used in different contexts or has been manipulated using photoshop, for example.
Question the motives of those spreading the information. Sometimes, fake news is intentionally created to manipulate public opinion or serve a particular agenda.
If you come across fake news or suspicious content, report it to the social media platform or website hosting it, and more importantly inform your friends and family if they are sharing false information and encourage them to verify before spreading.
Fake news as a means of justifying wars
The dangers of spreading fake news at times of insecurity should not be taken lightly. For example, the role of fake news and propaganda in the lead-up to the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 is a tragic and significant example of how misinformation and the spreading of fake new can incite violence and conflict in real time.
The genocide was primarily a result of deep-seated ethnic tensions and historical factors, but fake news and propaganda played a significant role in escalating the situation. Rwanda was ethnically divided between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority. Tensions and conflicts between these two groups had been ongoing for decades, fueled by a history of discrimination and violence.
In the years leading up to the genocide, radio stations, newspapers, and other media outlets in Rwanda began spreading hate speech, dehumanizing Tutsis, and promoting ethnic divisions. The most notorious of these media outlets was Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), which played a central role in disseminating false information and inciting violence.
Fake news and false narratives were disseminated by these media outlets. Tutsis were falsely portrayed as traitors, conspirators, and enemies of the state. They were accused of planning to overthrow the government, and false reports of Tutsi violence against Hutus were widespread.
The fake news and propaganda created a climate of fear and hatred, leading to the dehumanization of Tutsis. Lists of Tutsi individuals and families were compiled, making it easier for extremist groups to target and kill them.
The media actively encouraged and incited violence against Tutsis. Extremist Hutu groups, backed by the government, used the false information to justify mass killings.
The Rwandan Genocide began in April 1994, and over a span of approximately 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were brutally killed by Hutu extremists. The media played a central role in coordinating and intensifying the violence, as radio broadcasts urged people to "cut down the tall trees" (a coded message for killing Tutsis).
It's essential to emphasize that the Rwandan Genocide was not solely caused by fake news and propaganda; it was a culmination of deep-seated ethnic tensions, historical conflicts, and political manipulation.
However, the media's role in spreading false information and inciting violence is considered a significant contributing factor to the scale and intensity of the genocide.
The lessons learned from this tragedy underscore the importance of responsible media and the dangerous consequences of using misinformation as a tool for promoting hatred and violence.