Distinguishing Truth from Disinformation in the Iran-Israel Conflict: Insights from Prof. Joan Donvan

U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran Spark Wave of Misinformation Amid Escalating Tensions

The start of military attacks in Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces over the weekend has triggered a surge of misinformation across social media platforms, making it increasingly difficult for people to discern fact from fiction. Boston University Professor Joan Donovan explained to GBH’s “The Curiosity Desk” that such chaotic situations create a vacuum that can be filled with propaganda.

“What was happening on Saturday was a volley of misinformation, particularly on X [formerly Twitter],” Donovan said. “There was also footage from video games being circulated as if it were part of the attacks. A fighter jet that had been taken down was a video game simulation.”

Even former President Donald Trump shared misleading content, posting a genuine image of an airstrike’s aftermath paired with a “before” image from an entirely different location.

For those seeking reliable information—whether because they have loved ones in affected areas or simply want accurate news—Donovan recommends looking for what she calls TALK: timely, accurate, local knowledge. She also suggests focusing on sources that can be held accountable if they report inaccurately.

Political reactions to the strikes have been swift but varied. The Massachusetts Republican Party issued a statement expressing firm support for “President Trump and the effort to defend Americans and U.S. interests around the world against the brutal Khamenei regime.” Meanwhile, Republican Senate candidate John Deaton has called for more information about the military action, questioning progress since June when Iran’s nuclear capabilities were reportedly neutralized.

Micah Jones, a Republican House candidate from the North Shore, expressed his nuanced view: “I am somebody who is very concerned about forever wars, but I still believe that there is a surgical use of American force that can be very much used to advance U.S. interests.”

In local news, Massachusetts Sheriff’s departments are facing scrutiny after a report from State Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro described their budgeting process as “opaque, chaotic and deeply flawed.” Sheriffs, who manage county jails and transport detainees, routinely overspend their allocated budgets—particularly in Hampden, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties, which exceed budgets by as much as 28%. Shapiro has called for a complete overhaul of the “broken” budgeting system.

Health disparities in Boston continue to widen, with Black residents experiencing concerning declines in life expectancy despite overall improvements citywide. Black men in Boston now have a life expectancy of 74.4 years compared to 82 years for men of other races, while Black women can expect to live 81.1 years versus 86.9 years for women of other races.

“The gap between Black residents and the rest of the city has doubled,” noted Mayor Michelle Wu. “The numbers we’re releasing today are not any that any community should stand for or tolerate.” In response, the city is allocating $1 million to Dana Farber Cancer Institute to increase cancer screening access and another $1 million to organizations focused on improving Black men’s health outcomes.

Transportation preparations are underway for this summer’s World Cup games in Foxborough, with MBTA General Manager Phil Eng announcing increased staffing and infrastructure improvements. The Foxborough Commuter Rail station is being redesigned to allow multi-door boarding, and additional trains will service Gillette Stadium during the tournament.

“This is a Celtics parade on steroids. This is the Super Bowl on steroids, because it’s not just a one-day event. This is 39 days of people from across the globe visiting Massachusetts,” Eng told GBH’s Morning Edition, while emphasizing the agency’s commitment to maintaining service for regular commuters.

In sports, Falmouth resident Sean O’Neill will represent Team USA in wheelchair curling at the Paralympics beginning this week. The 39-year-old lawyer explained that Paralympic curling requires exceptional precision since athletes use a delivery stick without the benefit of sweepers to guide the stone.

“We have to be that much more precise, more accurate with our shots because there’s no sweeping to help to correct or to try and get some added distance,” O’Neill said. The U.S. has never won a Paralympic medal in wheelchair curling, giving O’Neill a chance to make history in a sport he describes as both physically and mentally challenging.