Truth Under Siege: Misinformation as a Modern-Day Weapon

Imran Ali Sandano

Misinformation is not new. But the way it spreads now is faster and more dangerous than before.

Today, lies move through social media in seconds. One fake video or post can reach millions. People believe it. They share it. And then it shapes opinions, even policies. That is a big problem.

It is not just about wrong facts. It is about how those facts are used to divide people to create hate. To weaken trust. And to make people question what is true.

This is not accidental. In many cases, it is planned. That is what I mean by “modern-day weapon.”

Disinformation is false information spread on purpose. It is used to confuse people to make them angry and to push them toward one side.

It is used in politics, war, religion, public health, and even in everyday debates.

And it is not just one person typing lies. It is systems, campaigns, bots, paid influencers, and hidden accounts.

The goal is not always to make people believe something specific. Sometimes, it is just to make them stop trusting anything.

When you cannot trust the news, the government, the experts—then you feel alone. That makes it easier for dangerous voices to take over.

No doubt, internet changed everything. Social media made everyone a publisher. That sounds good, but it also means anyone can spread lies.

Algorithms push content that gets clicks. That means extreme posts go to the top and calm, careful voices get pushed down.

And once people start believing one kind of lie, they are more likely to believe the next one, that creates a loop.

People keep seeing things that match their belief. They stop listening to anything else. They think anyone who disagrees is evil and may be stupid. That is how societies become polarized.

Most people do not check every fact. They do not have time. They are busy, tired and may be angry. They believe what seems to confirm what they already think.

Also, many do not know how to tell real from fake online. That is not merely their fault. No one taught them. No school or institution ever covered this.

So when someone shares a fake video or a false quote, it spreads very fast.

Sometimes people mean well. Sometimes they just want to win an argument. Either way, the result is the same: trust breaks down.

Look around the world. In many places, trust in institutions is falling. That includes courts, election systems, media, and health workers.

In some places, people believe conspiracy theories more than facts. They believe elections are always rigged, pandemic vaccines are fake, and other group wants to destroy them.

This is not just unhealthy but it is very dangerous.

We have seen violence grow from lies, mob lynchings, hate crimes, riots, attacks on journalists, and even attacks on democracies themselves.

And in this climate, extremists thrive. They know how to use misinformation. They know how to trigger emotions, and they are growing.

There is no single fix. But here are three possible important things.

First, media literacy, people need to learn how to ask questions. Where did this story come from? Is it from a real source? Is it edited? What is the motive behind it?

This kind of thinking should be taught in schools, homes, and in workplaces. On TV and social media itself.

Second,  honest and open governance, when governments lie, hide facts, or shut down journalists, they lose trust. And once trust is gone, lies spread faster.

Leaders must speak clearly, share verified information, admit when they make mistakes. That makes people believe them.

Last, the responsibility tech companies. Big platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok help spread lies. They know this, but they do not act fast enough. Why? Because fake news makes them money.

They must change their systems. They must stop promoting harmful content and invest in fact-checking in all languages. Not just English.

And they must show how their algorithms work. If they will not do it, laws should make them.

For instance, in South Asia, the effects are already visible. In India, fake news has triggered killings. In Pakistan, false blasphemy accusations lead to mob violence. In Sri Lanka, misinformation has led to riots. Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan also face these threats.

Elections are a major target. Politicians use fake content to attack opponents. Voters are misled, and hate is normalized.

There is little oversight. Few laws with almost no cooperation between countries to fix this. That has to change.

In that change, we all have a role. Do not share something just because it is shocking and funny. We need take moment, confirms, and think.

Ask: is this real? Could this be edited? Could someone be using us?

And talk to people with different views. Not to win, just to understand. Because without understanding, there is no trust. And without trust, there is no peace.

The digital age gave us power. But it also gave us new risks. Misinformation is one of the biggest.

It breaks trust. It creates hate. It helps extremists, and it weakens governing systems.

We need smarter laws, better education, honest leadership, and a tech industry that takes responsibility.

Because if lies keep winning, we all lose.