How can Christians first back against disinformation?

Disinformation and faux news have helped fuel the riots and disorder going down across parts of the UK. It’s just the most recent example of how social media can impact all of our lives.

Media campaigning charity Full Fact declared, “The disorder we have seen, triggered a minimum of partially by false claims circulating on social media, is an awful reminder of what can occur when online misinformation spills into the true world.”

But how can Christians fight back against the tide of disinformation and faux news sweeping across the web, and arriving on the smartphone in your hand?

It’s easy to feel powerless against the pervasive impact of social media, the algorithms of huge tech serving up information that confirms inbuilt biases, or the ‘influencers’ searching for to make use of social media to wind up their followers. Elon Musk, the owner of X/Twitter is amongst those accused of stoking the fires of division within the UK.

But each of us has a voice inside our own circle of friends, family, colleagues, and worshippers at our church, so listed here are some easy steps:

First, don’t share without considering. It’s easy simply to share on social media or tell a friend something that you’ve got just read online or in print. But take a couple of minutes to think over what you’ve got just read or heard. Slow down your response…

Ask yourself: is that this from a reliable news source? Can I check this information on one other media platform? Slowing down our responses makes it much less likely that we’ll share fake news or spread disinformation. If doubtful, then don’t spread the story — even should you would really like it to be true, due to your worldview.

Second, burst your bubble. Journalist James Ball writes: “Knowing what people we disagree with actually say and think — reasonably than the straw men and caricatures we create in our heads — helps us bridge gaps and makes it harder to demonize people whose politics are different from our own.”

In social media, this implies being willing to follow people or organisations with which you disagree, and being ready to have interaction with what they’re saying. It could also be uncomfortable, and it might not change your standpoint, but you’ll understand higher the views that they’re expressing – and possibly sharpen your personal.

Otherwise, you simply see opinions that echo your personal, and are never challenged about your viewpoint. The algorithms will keep serving you up posts that you just like…

Third, don’t succumb to conspiratorial considering. Full Fact reports that an incorrect name for the suspect within the Southport killings spread rapidly online, alongside false claims he had recently come to the UK on a small boat, or was Syrian. These claims were quickly rebutted by Merseyside Police. But nevertheless, unrest broke out in Southport, with the police reportedly saying people behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts.

As seekers after truth, Christians needs to be in search of evidence and robust investigations reasonably than fabricated ideas that intrigue us.

Fourth, support independent journalism. News organisations are under pressure from free material offered on the web from unreliable sources. If independent journalism is to survive, readers are prone to need to pay an increasing price to support media outlets. The cover price of a newspaper, or an internet subscription, might help ensure skilled journalism survives. Journalists launching community publications to serve their local areas needs to be supported by churches.

Fifth, take a stand against disinformation. US academic Dr Lee McIntyre writes: “The issue for me shouldn’t be to learn how one can adjust to living in a world by which facts don’t matter, but as an alternative to arise for the notion of truth and learn how one can fight back.”

In an era of post-truth, Christians are called to challenge every try and obfuscate a fact and challenge falsehoods before they’re accepted as true. How you are taking motion will depend upon your circumstances, and where you see the reality being undermined.

It could possibly be in your place of business or education, within the media that you just devour, or within the social media posts that your mates are circulating. Small actions taken in churches, workplaces or friendship groups can have a ripple effect in drawing people back to the reality.

Post-truth, fake news, and disinformation together pose a serious threat to societies around the globe. Citizens can feel powerless within the face of their demoralising and demotivating effects. But Christians can play their part in searching for to bring truth and integrity back into the centre of public life.

A final thought. Don’t be afraid to take a step back from social media, should you find the relentless torrent of reports and opinion impacting your wellbeing. For the sake of your mental health, take regular breaks away out of your screen … and invest that point in prayer.

Rev Peter Crumpler is a former communications director with the Church of England, and creator of ‘Responding to Post-truth’ (Grove Books).