Misinformation Runs Rampant in Online Discussion of the Israel-Hamas War

Misinformation has become rampant online because of the Israel-Hamas War. Credit: Anton Melnyk.

By Valli Pendyala

Misinformation about the Israel-Hamas War has become rife since the conflict’s outbreak on October 7, especially across social media platforms.

Deceitful photos, doctored media and documents, and incorrect claims are circulating widely online. The spread of misinformation includes falsified images of Hamas members beheading children and a fake memo from the White House promising eight billion dollars of aid to Israel.

Because of the volume of material being posted, the speed at which it is being circulated, and the paring back of fact-checking and anti-misinformation initiatives by social media companies, it is difficult for trustworthy news organizations to fact-check fast enough to halt the spread of misinformation.

Social media has become a large part of how the world reacts to and interacts with war, conflict, and activism. During the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, users took to platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to spread information about protests, share the history of racialized oppression in America, and show solidarity with protestors and the Black community. Similarly, during the outbreak of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War, Ukranians used these platforms to share information and resources, post photos and videos of the conflict, and gain international support. At the same time, Russia harnessed social media to spread misinformation and propaganda about its right to invade Ukraine.

While social media remains an important tool for elevating voices that are excluded from mainstream media, the threat of misinformation is an issue social media platforms will have to continue to monitor during the course of this conflict.