In our hyper-connected world, we find ourselves caught in a cacophony of voices from countless sources, each clamouring for our attention and subtly shaping our perceptions. The digital revolution, while allowing rapid dissemination of information, has also given rise to the spread of misinformation. As a result, the truth becomes obscure, and the lines between fact and fiction, news and propaganda, fade into obscurity.
Propaganda, a tool as old as power itself, has been wielded by the mighty to mould public opinion and consolidate control. From Alexander the Great upholding mythical traditions to strengthen his authority to Hitler’s masterful manipulation of media and iron-fisted censorship, history is replete with examples of propaganda’s potent influence. However, in today’s digital era, the scope and impact have expanded to unparalleled heights with the tools of manipulation magnified to chilling efficacy.
First identified in 1977, The Illusory Truth Effect is a psychological tendency to believe a claim or false piece of information to be true after being exposed to it multiple times. The phenomenon is often tied to a quote commonly attributed to the infamous Nazi propagandist, Joseph Goebbels — “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”. It is a simple act of repetition that can make a fact seem more true, regardless of its veracity. Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram serve as conduits to these deceptions. Information shared by friends or followed personalities carries an inherent weight of trust, allowing users to share and amplify content and narratives with ease. This personalised nature of digital communication creates a fertile ground for the proliferation of modern-day “snake oil salesmen,” be they political demagogues, corporate interests, or ideological zealots.
While at it, we face the realities of a surveillance society. Government agencies and corporate entities amass vast amounts of data, creating digital dossiers more comprehensive than anything the STASI could have dreamed of. With every digital interaction — from innocuous text messages to internet searches, even our physical movements tracked by GPS — widespread monitoring instils fear, dissuading dissent and free expression. Trust in governmental institutions erodes, while our fundamental rights to privacy and personal autonomy seem increasingly antiquated.
Yet, it is imperative to recognise that misinformation thrives in environments of polarisation and division. With the democratisation of information, misinformation and disinformation easily accessible to anyone with a smartphone, computer, smartwatch, etc., combined with the algorithmic reinforcement of echo chambers, fosters an environment where misinformation can flourish unchecked, exposing us solely to information that reinforces our existing beliefs. The outcome is a populace increasingly divided, not by genuine ideological differences, but by manipulated perceptions and fabricated truths.
The only way to combat misinformation is education — that is not merely academic. With a robust education system that emphasises critical thinking, media literacy, and the skills to evaluate information effectively, we can cultivate a generation of informed citizens.
Being a conscious global citizen requires a deep responsibility to discern, question, and reflect. We often find comfort in the stories we've always known, in familiar narratives- the prejudices that have been passed down to us. Before rushing to judgment, we must pause and consider the material conditions that have given rise to the issue at hand. We must ask ourselves: Cui bono? Who benefits from this particular framing of events? What historical and economic forces are at play here? What if our judgments, often presented as indisputable truths, are the product of subtle influences designed to shape our perceptions?
This does not mean that we abandon all convictions or fall into the trap of moral relativism. On the contrary, by subjecting our beliefs to rigorous scrutiny and grounding them in a deep understanding of social and economic realities, we can develop a truly revolutionary consciousness.
The liberation of society from the chains of the illusion of truth requires the liberation of the mind through knowledge and education.
The author is a Mumbai-based producer and actor
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