Common challenge: Misinformation and disinformation on disaster risk communication – Practical Tips
Advances in technology are propelling the spread of false information at an unprecedented speed and scale.
Contents of Disaster Risk Communication Hub
- Introduction
- Process
- Principles
- The four phases of disaster risk communication
- Understand
- Plan
- Do
- IMPACTFUL communication
- Novel collaborations
- Media interviews on disaster risk
- Misinformation and disinformation (you are here)
- Pretesting your content
- The importance of feedback loops
- Scenario
- Resources
- Improve
- Main publications
- Case studies
- Further resources
- Rumour is unverified information
- Misinformation is incorrect or misleading information spread without meaning to deceive, which is often shared by people who believe it is true
- Disinformation is deliberately false information that is shared to deceive or cause harm
Misinformation and disinformation in disaster risk communication can significantly increase disaster risk by causing confusion and eroding credibility and trust in disaster risk management practices and disaster responses.
For example, misinformation about the severity and timing of natural hazards can lead to delayed evacuations and inadequate preparations – or alternatively heightened stress and fear through unnecessarily alarmist content. Inaccurate reports about evacuation routes and shelter locations can lead to dangerous decisions around relocation. Misleading information about the extent of damage or aid availability can also hamper disaster recovery efforts.
Recommendations for managing mis- and disinformation include:
- Know what fuels rumours among certain groups and seek to address it. Information voids are often filled with any explanation to hand. This can be especially true on issues people feel strongly about and at times of crisis. Further, emotion, not logic, often drives reactions to information.
- Anticipate what could go wrong and use rapid, regular and transparent communication through trusted channels to fill information voids. Communicate what you know, what you don’t know, and acknowledge people’s emotions.
- Listen out for unverified, false or misleading information that may be circulating. It is crucial to stay informed about rumours that are causing harm. Coordinate with others to monitor rumours and keep an eye on platforms that could spread wrong information.
- Respond carefully – sometimes you have to counter incorrect information but at other times that may fuel a rumour that would fade without attention.
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