Digital Literacy Forum in Bor Aims to Combat Misinformation

South Sudan’s Jonglei State hosted a significant forum last Friday aimed at tackling the growing challenge of misinformation and hate speech that has contributed to cycles of violence in the region. The event, held in the town of Bor, brought together 50 key community stakeholders in an effort to build local capacity for information verification and conflict prevention.

Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF), with support from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), organized the one-day gathering that included representatives from civil society organizations, youth groups, women’s associations, traditional leadership structures, and state government officials.

The timing of this initiative is particularly relevant for Jonglei State, a region that has long suffered from intercommunal violence often triggered or exacerbated by false information. Local conflicts frequently revolve around cattle raiding and retaliatory attacks between communities, with misinformation playing a significant role in escalating tensions.

Paul Machar, who served as a facilitator and represented DRF at the forum, emphasized the direct connection between misinformation and regional instability. “Misinformation is fuelling fear, hatred, and violence,” Machar told participants. “We want communities to understand how to verify information and prevent falsehoods from influencing actions that threaten peace.”

The forum’s practical focus on information verification techniques and community-based solutions resonated strongly with attendees. Jessica Ajok, representing a local community-based organization, highlighted how misinformation directly impacts community safety: “Many conflicts begin with rumours or misleading messages. Learning how to detect and challenge such information will help us protect our communities and rebuild trust.”

South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation after gaining independence in 2011, has struggled with internal conflicts and community violence. In regions like Jonglei, where traditional communication networks intersect with growing digital connectivity, false information can spread rapidly with devastating consequences. Cattle, which represent both economic livelihood and cultural significance in many South Sudanese communities, are often at the center of disputes that can quickly escalate when fueled by unverified claims.

The initiative comes amid broader concerns about digital literacy across the country. While mobile phone usage has expanded significantly in South Sudan over recent years, critical media literacy skills haven’t kept pace, creating vulnerability to manipulation and misinformation campaigns. This digital divide has particular consequences in conflict-prone areas.

Local journalists attending the forum noted the challenges they face in promoting accurate reporting in a context where rumors can travel faster than verified news. Several described instances where false information shared via mobile phones or social media platforms had triggered immediate violent responses before any verification could occur.

The forum concluded with participants developing concrete action plans, including commitments to collaborate on community awareness campaigns, promote local fact-checking initiatives, and work directly with traditional leaders to establish community-based protocols for information verification. These leaders hold significant influence in rural communities and their involvement is considered essential for any successful intervention.

State officials present at the event acknowledged the government’s responsibility in promoting accurate information and pledged to support community-led initiatives addressing the issue. However, participants also emphasized that sustainable solutions must be rooted in local ownership rather than externally imposed programs.

Digital Rights Frontlines indicated that this forum represents the beginning of a broader effort to strengthen information integrity across South Sudan’s conflict-affected regions. The organization plans to conduct follow-up workshops and establish community information verification networks in the coming months.

For Jonglei State, where cycles of violence have displaced thousands and undermined development efforts, addressing misinformation represents a critical component of broader peacebuilding strategies. As one traditional leader remarked during the closing session, “Peace begins with truth, and truth requires vigilance from all of us.”