The Impact of Disinformation – Conflict Reporting in the Digital Age

• Shifts in Conflict Reporting Patterns
• How Disinformation Works in a Conflict Zone
• Public Perception Shaping Narratives During Conflicts
• Challenges Faced by the Media

The ongoing kinetic conflicts around the world have sent a frenzy across humanity. With the coming of social media, the trajectory of conflict reporting has changed significantly too. The proliferation of information sources has become so pervasive that there seems to be multiple narratives to the same situation. Each version unbeknownst to the other reporting the factuality of the actual event.

Two major types of reporting and information circulate during a conflict situation, adding fuel to the already existing fire. The first is false or inaccurate information, which is factually incorrect; the second is disinformation, i.e., false information.  Disinformation is curated and circulated with the intention of misleading. The spread of both factually incorrect information and information made to mislead is a major threat to democracy. The digital age has therefore brought about a huge change in the way conflicts across the globe are reported. It’s shaping public opinion and challenging the narrative of truth. 

Shift in Conflict Reporting Patterns

The evolution of mass media from print (newspaper) to social media has been a huge leap in technology. The increase in informational access from conflict-prone areas has been very spontaneous in its eruption. Many times, the source of information leak is difficult to verify without proper knowledge of technological advancements. The idea that the ‘truth’ is sacrosanct is progressively changing by the day. Disinformation warfare over social media has become a tool of spreading false information. 

How Disinformation Works in Conflict Zones

In a conflict, anything as small as a rumour can take the shape of life-threatening disinformation if not addressed properly. The rectification of disinformation is crucial to avoid escalation. Both the creation and dissemination of disinformation have increased multiple-fold. Bots, deepfakes, and propaganda machinery target the layman’s basic knowledge of day-to-day activities. Stakeholders in a conflict release sources of information, which could be misused by either of the parties.

Public Perception Shaping Narratives During Conflicts

The mass media have immense influence when it comes to shaping public opinion and perception. There are multiple efforts to polarise sentiments. This leads to anger and rage amidst the already conflicting parties. Polarisation not only increases the likelihood of an increase in violence, but it also enrages mobs at times. These violent demonstrations also encourage individuals to take sides along partisan lines. The menace of fake news has led to an increase in hate speech and the wrong use of freedom of expression. Political leaders are often seen perpetrating hate-mongering over harmony and peace, thus spreading disinformation without any source verification. Public Health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. There was undermining of the masses in scientific guidance. This further fuelled vaccine hesitancy and complicated efforts to implement effective public health responses rationally.

Challenges Faced by the Media

The credibility of news reported by journalists has also come under scrutiny with the increasing rise of disinformation. Their safety is constantly under threat as they constantly navigate hostile environments just by virtue of being at their job. Furthermore, fact-checking has become a really complex and time-consuming task.  The deliberate spread of false narratives in a conflict continues to grow.

Ethical Dilemmas

Dilemmas start arising when the question of balancing the urgency to publish is paired with the responsibility to ensure accuracy. Any imbalance that could lead to the inadvertent spread of misinformation is a huge dilemma upon publishing. Since media platforms hold immense power in shaping the flow of information. It is therefore important to remember that it comes with a huge responsibility. The main aim should be to mitigate the spread of disinformation at any cost. During conflicts, false narratives can escalate violence or sway public opinion. It’s important to prioritize engagement and profits over accuracy during high-escalating conflicts because people’s lives are at stake. Moreover, social media platforms running on algorithms tend to amplify polarizing content as well as behavioral biases. This ends up giving disinformation a greater reach. 

Combating Misinformation

Working in  conflict zones, one is constantly faced with ethical dilemmas. When confronted with an overwhelming amount of unverified information alongside pressure to report quickly, people tend to succumb to circumstances. It is in times like these that upholding journalistic integrity should be at the forefront. Rigorous fact-checking, responsible sourcing, and a commitment to truth are the pillars of standards that one needs to deliver on. There may be delays in publication or a reduction in the impact of a story. However, maintaining ethical reporting, considering the consequences of disseminating certain information, is a must. This is more so applicable if it could endanger lives or fuel ongoing tensions or potential conflict zones.  

Proactive approaches must be used to identify and curb false content. There is an urgent need for global cooperation among journalists, world leaders, public policy experts, tech companies, and civil society. Preserving truth in an age of disinformation and abetting warfare means that it is a must going forward. In the end, prioritizing accuracy over speed and sensationalism is the way to go forward.