THE internet and social media have created the ideal conditions for a huge increase in false information and conspiracy theories. The terms fake news, false information, misinformation, and disinformation sound similar, but each has a different meaning. All of them can cause severe harm offline, especially because digital literacy and digital policy are both currently unable to keep up with the pace of change. The Covid-19 pandemic has illustrated how susceptible we are to information not entirely true or based on assumptions or deliberately altering a particular narrative to serve a powerful force. The best lie is the one containing the most truth, omitting just one small bit of falsehood that has a significant impact.
1. The University of Cape Town, It Division in a newsletter during Cyber Security Month in 2020, has stated the following. Here is a quick overview of the types of false information out there:
Fake news: Experts recommend that we call this false information. It is any information be it a news report, personal story, or other aimed at misleading people with incorrect information. These deceptive ploys are created to push a particular political viewpoint, cause concerns or panic, or in some instances, make money for dubious companies or individuals. (How true is this about Steinhoff, VBS, Insure, and the Gupta investments.)
Misinformation: Can you believe this was Dictionary.coms word of the year in 2018? Misinformation is intentional or unintentional false information that is shared to get a point across. So, if someone believes that they are sharing the truth (when it is false), they are spreading misinformation.
Disinformation: Unlike misinformation which can be unintentional, disinformation occurs when people intentionally spread information that is false, biased, manipulative, or propaganda.
Complicated, right? Now, let us look at some of the popular ways that false information spreads:
Clickbait: These are articles with enticing headlines designed to reel you in, causing you to click the link to read more. The information is often incorrect, and sometimes you end up on a completely different web page.
Misleading headlines: Like clickbait, the news shared may be correct, but gripping, often sensationalist headlines are employed to draw your attention.
Propaganda: These are specifically related to politics and try to push a particular viewpoint or spread false information about political opponents.
Satire: A critical view of the ways of the world often created as a story or graphic. For example, The Onion and Waterford Whispers.
Parody: A comedic spin is put on real-life events. For example, The Daily Mash.
Biased news: News that pushes a particular viewpoint or belief to prove a point.
2. The simple and intuitive understanding is that rumours, as opposed to factual claims, are something circulating in society but unverified and without solid evidence. One significant study from this perspective is Shibutanis (1966) book which long precedes the current preoccupation with mis- and disinformation, in which he calls rumours 'improvised news. Shibutani argues that in situations of ambiguity, people need information to solve the problems and evaluate possible actions; and when such needed information is unavailable, people would respond by collectively constructing consensus based on available data, guesses, beliefs, and speculation. This approach demonstrates that rumour can be seen as a collective tool for the public to navigate through adverse situations. Covid-19 news and information is a perfect example of how the world battled with the scientific facts and we are still wandering.
3. Great powers use strategic narratives to establish and maintain influence in the international system and to shape the system itself. Strategic narratives are a tool through which great powers can articulate their interests, values, and aspirations for the international system. In a study at the Centre for Global Political Economy at Sussex University under the title Great Power Politics and Strategies Narratives the authors state, There are three big shifts in power. First, there is a shift from west to east, with the rise of China and India. Second, there is a shift between the national and the international spheres, with the growth of regional and global institutions. Third, there is a shift between states and citizens, what I call the civilian surge the idea that around the world people who have hugely different access to opportunities and wealth nonetheless inhabit an increasingly common universe.
4. The Africa Centre for Strategic Studies has published a document titled Disinformation in Africa. Their findings/views are stated below. At the start, we wish to state something about the publishers. Their address is indicative of what is to follow. 300 5th Avenue, Building 20 Fort Lesley J McNair Washington, DC 20319-
