Navigating Truth Amid Social Media Misinformation During Conflicts

In today’s digital landscape, a flood of images, videos and claims circulates during crises, creating challenges for those seeking accurate information. Bellingcat, an investigative journalism organization, has released guidance to help the public navigate this complex information environment and distinguish fact from fiction.

The team at Bellingcat emphasizes that treating all content with caution is essential. Even authentic footage can be misrepresented with false claims. A recent example involved a viral video allegedly showing an Israeli airstrike hitting a church in Gaza City. Through careful geolocation analysis, Bellingcat determined the strike actually occurred near the intersection of Al-Rashid and Beirut Streets, not at the claimed religious site. The church later confirmed on Facebook that it had not been struck at that time, though a subsequent attack on October 19 did damage two assembly halls on church property.

This case highlights a concerning pattern: false claims can sometimes obscure genuine violations. While investigating the church claim, Bellingcat uncovered evidence of strikes in densely populated areas near several schools – information overshadowed by the viral misinformation.

Critical thinking becomes particularly important when confronted with sensational claims during major news events. Recycled footage – content from other conflicts or time periods presented as current – frequently circulates on social media platforms. Details within videos, such as signage or environmental elements, often reveal their true origin.

France 24, for instance, has repeatedly debunked a video that European far-right groups claim shows migrants in Calais throwing stones across a motorway. Through geolocation techniques, France 24 established the footage actually depicted protests in Israel following the police shooting of an Ethiopian Jew in July 2019 – Israel’s equivalent of a Black Lives Matter moment.

Source verification represents another crucial step. Responsible researchers consistently cite the origins of shared content, yet viral footage often spreads without attribution. Simple checks can quickly discredit suspicious claims. TikTok videos reshared on other platforms typically retain the original creator’s username watermark, providing a starting point for verification.

In 2022, a manipulated video supposedly showing a news reporter discussing Russian military operations went viral when one of the “body bags” behind the reporter moved. Basic fact-checking revealed the footage was actually from climate protests in Austria, with fake audio added to create misinformation.

Even correctly geolocated footage requires scrutiny, as it may not depict the claimed incident. Google reverse image searches on video screenshots can reveal previous postings. Bellingcat contributor Chris Osieck found that a video purportedly showing rocket fire in Palestine in October 2023 was actually filmed in Gaza, but from May 2023, documenting the destruction of a family home during earlier hostilities.

The proliferation of AI-generated content presents additional challenges. In March 2022, a deepfake video depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy telling soldiers to surrender went viral before being debunked. Telltale signs included a disproportionately sized head and unnaturally slow, deep speech patterns. Tools like aiornot.com can help identify AI-generated imagery, though they aren’t always definitive.

State actors sometimes distribute staged footage to advance political narratives. In March 2023, a dashcam video allegedly showing a Ukrainian soldier abusing a Russian-speaking Ukrainian citizen circulated widely, promoted by Russia’s Foreign Ministry. Investigators determined the footage was actually filmed deep within Russian-controlled territory, undermining its authenticity.

Even established news organizations occasionally falter in verification. In 2019, ABC News broadcast footage supposedly showing Turkish military bombing Kurdish civilians in Syria. Viewers quickly identified it as altered video from a Kentucky gun range called Knob Creek, forcing ABC to retract the content.

Finally, Bellingcat emphasizes the importance of mental health when consuming conflict-related content. Viewing graphic war footage can cause vicarious trauma. The organization recommends carefully considering whether viewing disturbing content is necessary and suggests sharing concerning material with trusted news sources rather than viewing and amplifying it directly. For those who regularly work with such content, Bellingcat provides guidance on maintaining mental hygiene, as does the Dart Center.

As conflicts continue to generate massive information flows, these verification principles offer a framework for navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape where misinformation spreads as rapidly as authentic reporting.