Social media users have been inundated with images and videos of violence ever since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, which was followed by Israel’s aggressive bombing offensive against civilians in Gaza. Yet for the average user, it is easy to forget that some information being shared online can be accompanied by a barrage of misinformation, both subtle and blatant. When were the videos or images taken? Where were they taken? What are they showing and what does it imply? These are some of the questions that can help us become more critical of the information we see online, especially during times of war. People often quickly resort to social media to share and express their political standpoints because mainstream news, and particularly live television channels, are often not fast or immediate enough. There is a sense of community, of solidarity and of active advocacy among users each time they share a post to their followers or send posts or tweets to personal chats among their families and friends. However, this very fact proves how quick misinformation can spread: by slipping into the feeds of those who had never…
How to Verify and Fact-Check Information on Palestine and Israel
October 13, 2023
