In the age of social media, a challenge that has existed since time began has become even more challenging because social media gives “wings” to everything. As an example, years ago if someone repeated a rumor it would involve multiple conversations, telephone calls and interactions before it gained critical mass and even then, community-wide circulation meant a small but significant part of the community. Fast forward to today, and that same rumor gains global traction in a few seconds. If it is a false narrative, someone’s reputation is ruined and difficult to regain.
Sometimes we do not think about repeating something we heard on social media and the damage it can cause until it happens to us or someone we know. I have never been the victim of social media disinformation on that scale, but because I am a public figure, I know what can happen and try to ensure that others understand so that the damage is minimized, and people are spared the ugliness of misinformation and misunderstandings.
It is so easy to read a story on social media and conclude that it is true because it sounds feasible or plausible. Sometimes the person who posted the story is a trusted individual. Yet, I have seen many instances where such information is posted, then after it has spread globally, it is retracted. But, only after the individual involved has suffered massive personal and professional damage that may be impossible to totally repair, which brings me to my subject, how to prevent misunderstandings and misinformation.
• Always do the research. If you hear something about someone or see something published about someone look at the source publisher and their credibility. If you know someone who is close to the subject or you know the subject reach out to them and find out their side before drawing a conclusion or forwarding the information to others.
• Even if something is true, should you forward it knowing that it can harm someone who is already aggrieved? Would it not be better to just pray for the person or do what is in your power to encourage them to correct their mistake?
• Put yourself on the end of the spear. Before you think of publishing or forwarding something potentially harmful to others, think about how you would feel if you were the subject of the publishing or forwarding and your personal affairs or mistakes are published. Remember the words of Jesus when he said, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Before you repeat something, ask questions of the person or persons who can answer. Sometimes we find a third party and discuss an issue with them, ask them questions when the person who can really answer the question is unaddressed. Instead of discussing with a third party ask the question to the person directly who can answer it. This will prevent many unnecessary complications.
• Be a peacemaker. Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. A peacemaker is someone who finds situations that can lead to turbulence and they step in to calm the situation and help the parties involved to attain a better outcome. It is much more blessed to be a peacemaker than one who stirs up strife or gloats in the downfall of others. Even if someone is wrong, we should not add to their injury but instead seek to help them be restored.
• If you have contributed willingly or unwillingly to a misunderstanding, be brave enough to correct your mistake and ensure that others are helped and not harmed by your actions. Help to clear the person’s name if they are wrongly accused or false information is spread about them. Misunderstandings happen daily and are a part of life, but we do not have to be the ones to give misunderstandings wings. Let us strive to be peacemakers and ensure that others are protected or restored if information is spread about them.
• Pastor Dave Burrows is senior pastor at Bahamas Faith Ministries International. Feel free to email comments, whether you agree or disagree, to pastordaveburrows@hotmail.com. I appreciate your input and dialogue. We become better when we discuss, examine and exchange.
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