Verify Before You Amplify: Combating Misinformation and Disinformation – Nneka Torti

By Nneka Torti

Over the years, misinformation and disinformation have become deeply interwoven into our culture. From WhatsApp broadcasts forwarded across different platforms to individuals with damaging content that often incites fear, to posts shared on Facebook with strict instructions to “share and tag others,” false information spreads rapidly.

Oftentimes, we see people complying with these directives with the sole intention of protecting their loved ones from circumstances they believe may cause harm.

Though often spread innocently, misinformation has become so widespread that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish the truth from falsehood.

In fact, when a lie is repeated consistently and circulated widely, it gradually begins to sound like the truth. Some people argue that nothing can make them believe false information, but when a narrative is repeatedly presented over time, it can gradually influence opinions until they completely change.

No one deliberately sets out to believe false information.

The worst form, however, is disinformation, the deliberate creation and dissemination of false information. It has fueled violence, hatred, and even wars in countries that were once peaceful.

Yes, truth is sometimes viewed through different perspectives, but ideology influences how people interpret information. Background, upbringing, and exposure shape people’s beliefs and often determine how they respond to information.

Have you ever wondered what happens when false information is deliberately pushed into the public space?

Have you ever wondered how disinformation and misinformation are countered?

Countering disinformation is very expensive. Media consultants are hired, and various media platforms are engaged to promote factual narratives that can counter falsehoods. This does not come at a small cost and often do not have the same reach and view as disinformation.

This means that the best way to combat disinformation is to prevent its spread in the first place.

In our society today, especially as elections approach, the effects of disinformation are enormous. We already live in a volatile environment, and all it takes for tensions to escalate into full-blown conflict is a carefully planned campaign of disinformation.

An arms dealer will always benefit from instability because conflict creates a market for weapons.

Likewise, anyone who benefits from a particular position or agenda will always seek opportunities to protect or advance their interests.

Disinformation during election periods compromises the principles of free and fair elections, distorts the information ecosystem, undermines democratic processes, and increases polarization and hate speech.

Therefore, every individual, particularly media professionals, has a role to play in ensuring that we do not destroy the only country we have.

I say every individual because, in this digital age, everyone is now a publisher, whether on social media or through a website. Whenever something happens, people instinctively bring out their phones to record and share it. That places a responsibility on each person to fact-check information before publishing it.

Having said that, it is necessary for media professionals to provide balanced and factual reporting, debunk false claims, hold institutions accountable, and amplify only credible sources.

As media professionals, we have access to the official accounts of government institutions. It is important to verify information through their official pages on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and other platforms before making a post. Always be certain of the authenticity of information before clicking “Post.”

In the race to be the first to publish, do not become the first to push the country into chaos.

So, how can you identify misleading posts? Consider claims such as “your vote will not count.” Such messages only succeed in discouraging voter participation. Because this narrative has been amplified repeatedly over time, many people now believe it. However, one important question to ask is: If votes do not count, why do politicians spend so much effort and resources trying to buy them?

Political actors may also attempt to influence voters through false information about electoral procedures and protocols, misleading claims about voter turnout, or even falsified documents purportedly issued by the Electoral Commission. This is not limited to any particular political party; it is a challenge that can arise across the political spectrum.

Therefore, every piece of information should be fact-checked using available verification tools such as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools, Advanced Google Search Operators, the Meta Content Library, Image Whisperer, FotoForensics, and many other digital verification tools that can reveal more information about images, videos, and text.

Don’t be a tool for chaos. Instead, be an ambassador for fact-checking so #checkbeforeyoupost.