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Imagine a small village in northern Nigeria where news spreads quickly through WhatsApp and community gatherings. One day, a manipulated post circulates, claiming that a local political figure plans to betray the community. Although the post is entirely false and its source unknown, it is shared hundreds of times, inciting fear, anger, and even violence. The unknown account pushing a narrative designed to exploit local tensions for foreign interests is a player in Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI).
FIMI may mean different things to different people, depending on their backgrounds or the types of information they encounter. However, one thing is clear: it has become a potent tool for spreading disinformation, particularly in regions in which access to reliable information is limited. Grassroots communities, often resource-constrained and dependent on informal networks for news, are especially vulnerable to these tactics. FIMI exploits these vulnerabilities by crafting false stories that are tailored to fit local cultures, politics, and social issues.
How Communities Become Susceptible
1. Weaponizing social media and messaging apps
Grassroots communities rely heavily on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and local community apps for information. FIMI actors exploit these platforms, knowing that information spreads quickly and is often trusted without scrutiny. For example, during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests in northern Nigeria, protesters were waving Russian flags, to symbolize regional political interests. Russian-backed movements in nearby countries, like Niger, influenced this display. Social media played a key role in amplifying these actions, spreading disinformation about Russia’s involvement in local affairs. This situation highlights how FIMI actors manipulate grassroots discontent and amplify political messages through visual symbols, even if those messages don’t reflect official foreign policies.
2. Using language and dialect nuances
FIMI actors often target grassroots communities using local languages or dialects, making disinformation seem more authentic and relatable. For example, a fake message written in a community’s dialect about government plans to impose new taxes on farmers’ land might seem personal and trustworthy, especially when shared by local contacts in local languages.
3. Using local Influencers and proxies
Trusted community figures such as teachers, religious leaders, or local celebrities—are often co-opted by FIMI actors to spread false information. When respected figures share disinformation, it gains credibility and spreads more widely. For instance, a respected local teacher or religious leader might unknowingly share a misleading post claiming a health risk to the community. Because of their authority, people tend to believe and pass along the message without question.
4. Targeting knowledge gaps
Many grassroots communities have limited access to formal education or reliable information. FIMI actors exploit these knowledge gaps by spreading content that sounds authoritative but is ultimately false. For example, there are existing claims that traditional herbal remedies are more effective than modern medicine for treating malaria.
5. Leveraging fear and uncertainty
FIMI actors often target the fear and uncertainty that pervade grassroots communities. They spread rumours about violence, disease outbreaks, or other perceived threats to create panic. For instance, in a conflict zone, FIMI actors might falsely report that a neighbouring ethnic group is planning to attack a local village, to cause widespread fear, panic, and possibly even preemptive violence in response to the fabricated threat.
6. Planting False News through Local Media
Local media outlets, which may lack the resources for thorough fact-checking, are prime targets for FIMI actors. These outlets may unknowingly publish or broadcast manipulated content, which can quickly reach a large portion of the community. A local radio station might air a fake segment claiming that government aid has been diverted to foreign countries, causing widespread mistrust among citizens who rely on this aid for survival.
Why FIMI Thrives
Limited Digital Literacy: Many people in these communities lack the skills to critically assess digital content or verify its authenticity, making it easier for FIMI actors to manipulate people in such communities.
Trust in Word of Mouth: In close-knit communities, personal relationships often outweigh scepticism about such information. This trust in the messenger makes it easier for false information to spread unchecked.
Inadequate Fact-Checking Resources: These communities are left more vulnerable to manipulation with few local fact-checking initiatives or access to independent verification services.
How to Counter the Spread of FIMI
1. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training
Educating communities on how to spot fake news is key to fighting FIMI. Simple training sessions can teach people to check sources, spot manipulation, and trust reliable platforms. Programmes like those run by DUBAWA in Nigeria help people build these skills and understand what information to trust.
2. Community-based fact-checking networks
Local fact-checking groups, led by trusted community members, can quickly debunk misinformation. By sharing verified information, they create a ripple effect that helps keep communities informed.
3. Amplify trusted voices
Using respected local figures, such as religious leaders or influencers can help spread accurate information. When these voices speak in local languages, the message is more likely to resonate and counter false narratives. Church and mosque gatherings can be effective spaces for this.
4. Strengthen local journalism
Supporting local journalists with training and resources helps them report accurately and spot disinformation. Strong grassroots journalism ensures communities get reliable and timely news despite limited resources.
Conclusion
To effectively curb the spread of disinformation, FIMI should be a primary focus, as its influence reaches small communities by exploiting trust and cultural dynamics while limiting access to reliable information. Thwarting this issue requires collaboration at all levels to empower residents with media literacy skills, support fact-checking initiatives, and amplify trusted voices.
