How do misinformation, disinformation and hate speech harm populations affected by conflict and humanitarian operations?
Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech increase the risks to which people are exposed, as well as their vulnerability. For example, deliberately providing false information about vital services and resources to displaced people in need of humanitarian aid could divert them from assistance and cause harm.
Likewise, hate speech directly or indirectly contributes to endangering the safety and dignity of the civilian population. For example, when this type of speech is disseminated through the Internet, with the intention of inciting violence against a minority group, psychological and social damage can be caused as a result of harassment, defamation and intimidation.
Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech also undermine the ability of humanitarian organizations to operate in certain areas, sometimes leading to the unmet needs of people affected by armed conflict or other violence. Spreading false and manipulated information undermines trust within communities and damages the reputation of humanitarian operations.
For an organization like ours, whose work is built on trust, the spread of disinformation, especially in highly tense contexts, can escalate quickly, leaving humanitarian workers unable to leave their offices. , provide help to save lives, visit detainees or give news to people who have lost contact with a family member.
Are there other examples of real harm caused by misinformation, disinformation and hate speech?
When rumors, stigma and damaging stories spread, for example, situations occur in which already displaced persons or families linked to one or another party to the conflict find themselves unable to return to their place of origin under conditions of security.
False accounts of a particular humanitarian service can sometimes undermine the trust of affected people and prevent them from accessing services essential to their well-being, safety or dignity. For example, some people may become afraid of receiving a vaccination or health service, and others may refuse to receive the body of a deceased relative because they no longer trust the information they have been provided.
The spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech fuels acts of violence within communities, especially against vulnerable groups, minority groups, ethnic groups, and organizations, including humanitarian and medical teams.
When information distortion compromises the ability of people affected by conflict to make well-informed decisions—decisions that affect vital needs such as access to safety, shelter, and health care—real-world harm is done. .
Spreading misinformation, disinformation and hate speech in a community – organized or not – creates climates of hate and incitement to violence online and in the media, which can lead to loss of life and other harmful consequences. for the safety and dignity of people.
Does the spread of disinformation violate international humanitarian law?
Certain uses of disinformation and hate speech violate international humanitarian law and other rules of international law. Specifically, international humanitarian law prohibits promoting violations of international humanitarian law itself (especially war crimes), whether through the Internet or any other means. Similarly, it prohibits “acts or threats of violence whose main purpose is to terrorize the civilian population.” This means that threats of violence are prohibited if it can be shown that the primary purpose of such activities is to instill panic in the civilian population.
In addition, international humanitarian law prohibits inciting violence against humanitarian operations and humanitarian personnel, and the spread of disinformation designed to hinder or impede their work is difficult to reconcile with this body of law. States and other parties to armed conflict must not only refrain from such practices, but must also protect impartial humanitarian organizations when private actors, including companies, threaten their operations.
However, not all misinformation or disinformation released during an armed conflict is mandatorily covered by international humanitarian law. That said, there has been a consensus for decades that impartial humanitarian operations and the humanitarian personnel involved in them must be respected and protected. It is for this reason that reconciling disinformation intended to hinder or impede their work is difficult to reconcile with international humanitarian law. Consequently, States and other parties to armed conflict must not only refrain from such practices, but also protect impartial humanitarian organizations when private actors, including companies, threaten their operations.
How does the ICRC combat the problem of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech?
The ICRC takes the issue of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech spread during armed conflict very seriously, and is determined to find effective ways to combat this problem and its consequences.
Still, this is a daunting task, as technological advances, coupled with politicization and polarization, are increasing the speed, magnitude, and complexity of the problem.
It is absolutely crucial that we tackle this problem, especially since its effects have very real consequences for the civilian population, for example, for displaced persons and the families of missing persons. In addition, it is also essential both to preserve the trust of the people and communities with whom we work and to avoid being instrumentalized for political purposes.
As digital threats in the context of armed conflict are likely to increase and become more sophisticated and coordinated, the ICRC calls on all stakeholders, especially States, the media, and technology and other companies private organizations, to respect and protect impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian organisations, and to prevent such misinformation, disinformation and hate speech campaigns from taking place and spreading. We also urge everyone to exercise caution when sharing information and help stop the spread of misinformation. For its part, the ICRC is committed to working with its partners to combat the root causes of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, and to promote a more informed and peaceful world.