The Menace of Rampant Rumours in the Age of Social Media
By Ghulam Ghaus
Siddiqi, New Age Islam
3 July 2024
This essay follows the
themes explored in two thought-provoking articles. The first article, penned by
Mr. Sumit Paul, delves into the concept of how "Humans Perpetuate a
Destructive and Divisive Lie", shedding light on the destructive
tendencies of falsehoods in society. The second article, by Miss Kaniz Fatma, titled
"Vigilance against Rumours: An Islamic Perspective", offers a unique
viewpoint on the importance of staying vigilant against misinformation,
particularly from an Islamic standpoint.
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Social media was designed to help us keep up with friends and share
photos, to unite diverse people with distinct ideas and democratize the way we
discover information. Instead, they’ve fostered the rampant spread of
propaganda and untruths, enabled cyber bullying, and amplified social
divisions. (Safin Hamed/AFP/Getty Images)
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The
unchecked growth of social media in recent years has brought about a paradigm
shift in the sharing and consumption of knowledge. This changing environment
has made people more connected and immediate, but it has also unintentionally
created a dangerous social environment where rumours are freely circulated.
These rumours, which are frequently baseless and devoid of reason, cross global
boundaries with ease and add to a climate of doubt and confusion. Such false
information spreads throughout nations, countries, and cultures, causing fear,
confusion, and strife among the public. Analysis of the past and present
confirms that these rumours are largely false and unfavourable, shedding light
on their malevolent aim and hidden agendas. It is more important than ever to
exercise caution and engage in critical discourse because of the widespread and
harmful effects of rumours.
The Nature of Rumours and Their Dissemination
Rumours are
like social viruses; they multiply in environments where there is no official
record of events or confirmed facts. "A rumour is a statement in circulation
without official verification," claim Allport and Postman (1947). This
lack of validation makes it easier for false information to spread, especially
in a time when social media platforms can instantly turn a whisper into a roar. The ease with which information spreads on
social media means that anyone with a smartphone has the potential to become a
significant influencer, regardless of the credibility of the information they
share.
The
prevailing scepticism and uncertainty in modern society serve as further
catalysts for the propagation of these rumours. Rumours have the power to
capitalise on tensions and fears that already exist in a time of political
polarisation, economic instability, and social upheaval. They often depict
exaggerated pictures that exacerbate people's fears and create an atmosphere
that is conducive to disturbance and agitation. This phenomena is particularly
noticeable in instances of moral panics and mass hysteriasis that are stoked by
social media—a contemporary version of long-standing social ills.
The Repercussions on Society
Rumours
have a wide range of negative effects and are frequently fatal. On a small
scale, people who are duped by unfounded rumours may make rash choices that
have an impact on their relationships, jobs, and personal life. Rumours have
the potential to ignite social unrest and provoke violent acts on a large
scale. False information about social movements or political individuals, for
example, can polarise communities and spark violent conflicts or civil unrest.
There are
other negative effects of widespread rumours besides fear and uncertainty. The
erosion of public trust in credible institutions, including the media and
government, is a significant consequence. As people increasingly rely on social
media for news and updates, the line between verified information and baseless
rumours becomes perilously blurred. This scepticism towards established sources
of information creates a fertile ground for misinformation to thrive.
Historical Precedence and Modern Manifestations
Historically,
the detrimental impacts of rumours have been well-documented. During the
medieval period, witch hunts often began with baseless accusations and spread
through rumours. These rumours, driven by fear and superstition, led to the persecution
of countless innocent lives. In the modern context, the rapid spread of
misinformation can be seen in instances like the false narratives surrounding
health crises, such as the misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which
led to panic-buying, xenophobia, and disruptive behaviours in society (Ahmed et
al., 2020).
The
infamous incidents in India, where rumours have led to mob lynchings, highlight
the deadly potential of misinformation. Chris Scott’s article “The Deadly Consequences of Misinformation”
(2018) provides a grim recounting of these events, emphasizing the urgent need
for mechanisms to curb the spread of such harmful rumours.
Given these
detrimental impacts, the pervasive nature of rumours underscores an urgent need
for vigilance and critical discourse. Educational initiatives aimed at
improving media literacy can empower individuals to discern credible sources of
information from dubious ones.
Moreover,
social media companies bear a significant responsibility to implement more
robust fact-checking and content moderation frameworks. Measures such as
algorithm adjustments to de-prioritize potentially harmful misinformation and
prompt interventions against recurrent offenders can substantially mitigate the
spread of rumours.
In the
words of digital ethicist Haruna Yuki in her book “Ethical Challenges in the Digital Age” (2022):
“The enlightenment of the public on the perils of misinformation is
paramount in navigating the complexities of the digital era.”
To this
end, collaboration between governments, tech companies, and civil society
organizations is crucial in crafting and enforcing policies that prioritize the
integrity of information.
Cristina
Spanò/ Information Overload Helps Fake News Spread, and Social Media Knows It
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The Urgent Need for Vigilance and Critical
Discourse
Given the
perverse influence of rumours, it is incumbent upon both individuals and
institutions to exercise heightened vigilance and critical thinking. Media
literacy programs can serve as instrumental tools in equipping the populace to
discern credible sources from unreliable ones. Furthermore, social media
platforms must take proactive measures to curb the spread of misinformation by
employing advanced algorithms and human moderators tasked with fact-checking
and filtering content.
Institutions,
too, have a role to play in this endeavour. Governments should foster
transparent communication channels to preclude the vacuum that rumours exploit.
Public trust can only be restored through consistent, honest, and open
dialogue—ensuring that communities receive timely information from
authoritative sources.
In
conclusion, the rampant spread of rumours in the contemporary era, exacerbated
by the omnipresence of social media, poses a significant peril to global
society. The fear, confusion, and discord that ensue highlight the malicious
underpinnings and detrimental impacts of such misinformation. As the world
hurtles towards an increasingly interconnected future, the imperative for
vigilance, critical discourse, and proactive measures to combat rumours cannot
be overstated.
References:
-
Allport, G. W., & Postman, L. (1947). *The Psychology of Rumour*. Henry
Holt and Company, Inc.
- Ahmed,
W., Vidal-Alaball, J., Downing, J., & Seguí, F. L. (2020). COVID-19 and the
5G conspiracy theory: Social network analysis of Twitter data. *Journal of
Medical Internet Research, 22*(5), e19458.
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A regular columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is
a classical Islamic scholar with a rich Sufi Madrasa background and expertise
in English-Arabic-Urdu translation.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/menace-rumours-age-social-media/d/132624
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