The war in the Ukraine is atrocious!
It is however a good case study in disinformation and misinformation. When listening to the BBC, CNN, NBC, Al Jazeera, one narrative is being presented. When watching QAnon, Fox News or RT (the Russian state owned and sponsored channel), a completely different picture is shown.
Who to believe?
First, it is important to understand that there will always be different narratives depending on who you support. Being aware of this makes it a lot easier to seek out information that is in direct opposition to what we believe in and then analyze it. The Ad Fontes Media Chart is a media bias watchdog organisation and their Ad Fontes Media Chart is one of the better known ones. As is the AllSides Media Bias Chart who groups media outlets into which direction they are leaning.
Being aware of different viewpoints, it is paramount to actually find sources which cover the different angles on the same topic. Looking at the war in Ukraine, I recommend to follow your local news channels, international outlets as well as Ukrainian and Russian news if you can receive them. Yes, it is important to understand and know about different viewpoints, opinions – even if we don’t agree with them. Being able to have better conversations, we may even be able to engage with people who think differently and as a result reduce their bias.
Second, always try and verify information on multiple, reputable sources. Just because something is on a social media platform, doesn’t make it true. I’d suggest you’d be especially cautious if you see a social media comment without the source being quoted. If there is a link to the source, do follow it to make sure it actually matches the message you originally read.
Most importantly, look at the actions and behaviours instead of the words. Words are cheap and easy. Actions and behaviours take effort. Actions and behaviours carry consequences. Therefore, it is a lot harder for someone to cover for actions if they are not aligned with words. So look hard at someone’s behaviour, the consequences and then think about what the reason (justification?) must have been.
A simple example is: if your partner is nice to you and helps with the household chores and brings you flowers or rubs your feet consistently for years, then you can assume they love you and want to be with you. If your partner ignores you, makes jokes about you to his friends or is mean to you, then possibly they don’t love you.
A real life example: look at president Zelenskyy and Putin. Both hold the same role: to govern their respective countries. Both are using traditional and social media to air their point of view. Yet Zelenskyy appears to be fighting with his soldiers to defend his country whilst Putin insists on physical distance even from his closest advisors. Zelenskyy promises Russian soldiers full amnesty and money if they surrender whilst Putin is jailing peaceful protesters. Zelenskyy and his team set up websites to try and return captures soldiers back to their families whilst Putin’s army is bombing civilians including children.
So how will you consume news going forward? Will you focus on multiple news sources? Will you observe actions over words? What actions will you take?
Don’t fall for disinformation and misinformation. Get smart! Get informed!