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. ------- 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) ------ 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 ------- 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. ----- 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. 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