Tracking #abahambe: How xenophobia erodes trust
During moments of social tension, deciding what to believe can be difficult. The recent conversations around undocumented immigration, xenophobia and Afrophobia brought that challenge into sharp focus.
Public opinion is no longer only shaped by journalists, civil society or government. Content creators, commentators, podcasters, and people sharing information in their communities also have a seat at the table.
In an information environment increasingly shaped by inauthentic activity and actors seeking to exploit societal divisions, it can be difficult to know who, or what, to trust.
Speaking in the first episode of CINIA’s new series Trust Issues, journalist and content creator Romantha Botha says the first step is recognising that much of what we encounter online is commentary rather than hard news.
“My advice is always to look at who is telling the story and how they’re telling the story. Always cross-check, especially during times of crisis.”
However, misinformation does not always spread because people are careless. Fear, anger and uncertainty can make us more susceptible to information that appears to offer immediate answers, especially when it is shared by people in our network.
Dr Nkululeko Sibiya from UNISA explains why.
“When we are uncertain, our minds want to be certain quite immediately and we are more likely to trust information that comes from those who we know.”
This makes media literacy particularly important during emotional conversations that may have been inauthentically amplified. Social media can blur the line between evidence, commentary, misinformation and harmful generalisations and narratives.
The takeaway is simple: slow down before you share.
When everyone has a platform, everyone also has a responsibility to think critically about what they amplify.
