In a realm where smartphones, editing applications, and innovative strategies reign, certain United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations worldwide are crafting a “digital army” with the mission of confronting misleading and false information across social media platforms and beyond.
The UN is actively devising methods to counteract falsehoods that can ignite tensions, spur violence, or even lead to loss of life. Recognizing the detrimental impact of misinformation, hate speech, and their potential to undermine health, security, stability, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the organization has embarked on a journey to curb their adverse effects.
The Need for a New Approach
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for a paradigm shift, stating that “business as usual is not an option.” In a policy brief released in June on information integrity on digital platforms, he warned that the ability to disseminate large-scale disinformation poses not only a threat to scientific facts but also an existential risk to humanity. He highlighted the peril such misinformation poses to democratic institutions and fundamental human rights.
Battling Deadly Misinformation
Misinformation can wield deadly consequences in various ways. Over the years, several UN missions have faced disinformation campaigns on social media targeting their peacekeeping efforts.
In 2019, the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) raised alarm bells about disinformation campaigns on social media that called for violence against peacekeepers during an Ebola epidemic and following a deadly attack by an armed group in the restive eastern region.
By 2022, the Security Council adapted the mandates of its largest peacekeeping operations – in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, and South Sudan – to include the task of countering disinformation campaigns aimed at eroding the credibility of these missions.
Bintou Keita, who heads MONUSCO, noted that this is an ongoing battle waged through social media, radio, and traditional news outlets. The mission has undergone a steep learning curve in combating lethal disinformation, evolving from a reactive stance to proactive measures on various media platforms to contain its spread.
Equipping a Digital Force to Combat Falsehoods
To combat disinformation, UN peacekeepers are empowering individuals of all ages with new tools. One such example is Blessing Kasasi, a 15-year-old activist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ms. Kasasi participated in a workshop in Kinshasa, where she joined 30 young people in learning how to detect and counter “fake news” using the most potent weapon: the truth.
Guillaume Kingh-Farel, one of the workshop trainers, highlighted that disinformation is employed as a weapon of war to undermine MONUSCO’s peace efforts. The workshop, supported by MONUSCO, aims to train a “digital army” capable of detecting false information. Participants learn to create content using smartphones and editing software, spreading objective and credible information through “relay clubs” that disseminate these messages through their networks.
“As a smartphone user, I will create videos to amplify accurate information,” Ms. Kasasi declared after the workshop.
Adapting to the Changing Landscape
UN peace operations are embracing innovative approaches in engaging communities. In Mali, where a transitional government has been in power since a coup in 2021, the UN mission (MINUSMA) hosted a blogger festival – a unique event that drew nearly 400 participants in Mopti in early June. Digital media’s growing use in disseminating misinformation prompted this innovative approach to combat the challenge of misinformation, deconstruct hate speech, and counter fake news.
Beyond Mali, efforts are unfolding in other regions. In Abyei, a disputed area straddling Sudan and South Sudan, the UN mission (UNISFA) launched Voice of Peace, an internet radio station aimed at countering hate speech and fake news.
Meanwhile, MONUSCO’s initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to reach communities plagued by disinformation-driven tensions. This includes recruiting digital experts, creating multimedia content, and engaging with communities, particularly socially media-savvy youth, said mission chief Ms. Keita.
Equipped with these tools, MONUSCO strives to enhance its capacity to monitor and maintain a presence on digital platforms, shifting from a reactive stance to an anticipatory one.
Empowering Through Education
The UN Verified initiative has introduced a free online course titled “UNESCO MIL CLICKS – 10 Points to Detect Disinformation.” The course equips participants with the skills to recognize, counter, and protect themselves from dangerous disinformation circulating on social media. Some of the lessons covered include recognizing disinformation and its spread, understanding the danger of fabricated claims, and safeguarding against bots and trolls.
The UN’s dedication to battling misinformation and its commitment to arming individuals with the skills to discern truth from falsehoods reflect its determination to foster informed societies, safeguard peace, and uphold human rights.
(Source: United Nations)
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