The Rush to Share: The Perils of Spreading Unconfirmed News on Social Media

In the digital age, social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and X have become central to how we share and consume news.

In Namibia, there is a growing trend of rushing to share information without verifying its accuracy.

This has serious implications, leading to confusion and distress among the public.

A recent example was the rush to share unverified news about the health of our founding president.

Some argued that the hype on social media about the founding president on Saturday night was necessary because of the “silence” from the state or the Sam Nujoma Foundation.

The foundation released a statement the following day assuring the public that the founding president was recovering in hospital.

While this argument may hold some validity, many of the posts circulating were irresponsible, insensitive and likely embarrassing for their authors once the official statement was issued.

A DESIRE FOR ‘RELEVANCE’

Another recent case involved the tragic death of a Windhoek City firefighter in a car accident.

In a media statement issued by the City of Windhoek shortly after the fatal accident, the deceased’s name was withheld as his next of kin had yet to be informed.

However, some who knew him and had learned of his death prematurely posted “rest in peace” messages on social media.

Imagine the agony of learning about the death of a loved one through social media.

As users, we must learn to control our urge to share and wait for the proper protocols to be observed.

The primary driver behind the ‘rush to share’ trend appears to be a desire for relevance and recognition.

Individuals often feel compelled to share news quickly to appear informed and to garner likes, shares and comments.

This competitive atmosphere creates a sense of personal urgency that can override the critical evaluation of the information’s accuracy.

As Namibians, we need to understand that sharing unconfirmed news can lead to the spread of misinformation, causing confusion and panic among the public, and having profound effects on the families involved.

‘SELF-PROFILING’

Furthermore, our young people need to recognise that their social media presence has become their new curriculum vitae.

Many employers now consider applicants’ social media content as part of their evaluation process.

Sharing false information can damage an individual’s reputation and result in missed opportunities.

While social media platforms have revolutionised how we share and consume news, the rush to be the first to share can have significant negative consequences.

By promoting responsible sharing practices and prioritising accuracy and empathy, we can harness the power of social media for positive communication rather than as a source of confusion and harm.

As Namibians, it is imperative we recognise the weight of our words and the impact they have when broadcast to the world.
Our social media users need to be sensitive, considerate and exercise patience.

– Tonateni Shidhudhu is a former journalist and now works as a public relations practitioner and content developer. He writes in his personal capacity