Ah, the fabulous world of social media! A universe where fake news spreads like a seasonal flu epidemic. The Hakimi affair, a true soap opera worthy of the best telenovelas, offers us a golden opportunity to closely study the mechanisms that allow these deceptions to thrive and to laugh (with a hint of bitterness) at their repercussions on our society. So, hold on tight and get ready for a deep dive into the mysterious scourge of fake news!

The Hakimi affair is a prime example of how fake news can wreak havoc on social media. You know what they say, a shocking and scandalous rumor spreads faster than panic in an elevator. The rumor that Achraf Hakimi had given away his entire fortune to his mother so that his wife would get nothing in case of divorce was completely off-topic, yet it still buzzed across the web.

Upon closer examination, several factors contributed to the spread of this false information:

• Firstly, there was a sensationalizing of the rumor, with a touch of drama that captured the attention of internet users. It’s fair to say that a story involving family, marriage, and wealth distribution can provoke strong reactions from those with strong opinions on these subjects.
• Secondly, there was a strong polarization of internet users on this matter, with online communities sharing similar interests and opinions that contributed to its credibility and propagation.
• Finally, there was a lack of fact-checking by many media outlets, which took the rumor at face value without verifying its accuracy.

Disinformation: a recipe for success

The ingredients? Algorithms hungry for viral and captivating content, bots and troll farms to boost engagement, and of course, a touch of exaggeration and controversy. Such is the recipe of fake news that gatecrashes the social media party and feasts on the attention it garners.

Social media mechanisms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram are designed to promote the most popular and engaging content. According to a study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, the top 12 influencers spreading conspiracy theories on social media collectively gained over 17 million followers in a year. Fake news, often sensationalist and controversial, generally generates high engagement, prompting algorithms to further disseminate them. Social media recommendation algorithms tend to favor viral content over precise and accurate content, creating an environment conducive to the spread of misinformation.

Breathtaking Numbers

Fake news are certainly racehorses. According to a MIT study, misleading information has a 70% higher chance of being retweeted by Twitter users compared to verified information. That’s quite an impressive performance, worthy of a gold medal at the Misinformation Olympics! Furthermore, fake news spread six times faster than verified information on Twitter, fast enough to make even Flash blush!

And that’s not all: an Oxford study shows that fake news generate on average 7.6 times more engagement than verified information on social media. It’s almost as if fake news have a magic wand that turns them into movie stars, while verified information plays the role of extras.

Jokes aside, it’s crucial to realize the real danger that fake news pose to society. That’s why it’s important for each of us to take responsibility as information consumers and always verify sources before sharing information. And remember, even though liars may have success, it doesn’t mean we should let them have free rein!

Manipulation Techniques and Strategies for Guaranteed Success

These charming fake news are not only good at racing, they’re also very clever. Clickbait, deepfakes, astroturfing, echo chambers, polarization… They know how to use all the tools of the web to carve out a place in the sun. And sometimes, they can even be instrumentalized as part of carefully orchestrated disinformation campaigns.

Clickbait is a manipulation method that involves using catchy, often misleading headlines to attract users to click on a link and read an article or watch a video. This technique can be used to spread false information or conspiracy theories.

Deepfakes are digitally manipulated videos or images made to appear real, often used to deceive users into believing events that did not occur or falsified speeches. Deepfakes can be used for political disinformation or to damage someone’s reputation.

Astroturfing is a manipulation technique that aims to create a false impression of support or disapproval using fake social media accounts or comments. This technique can be used to influence public opinion on political or social issues.

Echo chambers refer to online environments where users are only exposed to viewpoints similar to their own. Social media platforms often use algorithms to personalize content displayed to the user based on their preferences and browsing habits. This can reinforce existing opinions and prevent users from being exposed to different perspectives.

Polarization refers to the process by which opinions and attitudes become increasingly extreme and divided. Fake news can contribute to polarization by spreading messages that reinforce pre-existing beliefs and present a biased, one-sided view of the world.

These techniques can be used individually or in combination to spread disinformation and influence public opinion. Disinformation campaigns can be conducted by state actors or private interest groups to achieve political or economic goals.

The Hall of Fame of Fake News

Among the most notable exploits of fake news in Morocco, we find:

• The false tsunami alert: In 2021, a rumor claimed that a tsunami was going to hit the Moroccan coast after an earthquake in the Atlantic. This information caused panic among the population, with some considering taking crash courses in swimming. Fortunately, Moroccan authorities and geophysical experts quickly debunked this rumor, stating that no tsunami alert had been issued.
• The COVID-19 vaccine hoax: During the pandemic, a rumor in Morocco claimed that the government was offering financial rewards for getting vaccinated. Some started making their shopping lists, but authorities quickly debunked this rumor, emphasizing the importance of vaccination to fight the pandemic, not to get rich.
• The false death of celebrities: Rumors announcing the death of Moroccan public figures circulate regularly. For example, in 2021, a false rumor claiming the death of Moroccan actor Mohamed Khouyi spread on social media, causing great concern among his fans. The rumor began circulating on online platforms before sources close to the actor debunked these allegations and confirmed that Mohamed Khouyi was in good health.
• Fake statements by public figures: False or out-of-context quotes attributed to public figures provoke amused or outraged reactions. A recent example is the Hakimi affair, where an unfounded rumor about his marital status sparked gossip worthy of a TV soap opera.
• The rumor of the cancellation of the baccalaureate: In 2020, a rumor circulated claiming that the government had decided to cancel the baccalaureate exams. Students breathed a sigh of relief before Moroccan authorities debunked this rumor, confirming that the exams would indeed take place with adapted health measures.
• The false announcement of school closures: In 2017, a rumor announced the imminent closure of schools due to a cold wave, causing confusion. Parents and teachers dug out their coats before authorities debunked this rumor and clarified that schools would remain open.

Fake news, especially conspiracy theories, have a significant impact on society and public opinion internationally. These are the most glaring examples of fake news that have gone global!

• The “Birther Movement”: a conspiracy theory claiming that former US President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and therefore ineligible for the presidency. Despite the publication of his birth certificate proving he was born in Hawaii, this rumor persisted and was echoed by several political figures, including future President Donald Trump.
• The Pizzagate: a conspiracy theory alleging that a pizzeria in Washington DC was the center of a pedophilia network involving American political figures. Although completely unfounded, this rumor had dramatic consequences, prompting an individual to visit the location with a firearm to investigate.
• Coronavirus conspiracy theories: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous fake news have circulated on social media. Among them, conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus or vaccines, which contributed to public mistrust of health authorities and vaccination campaigns.
• 5G antennas and coronavirus: At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a conspiracy theory emerged claiming that 5G telecommunication antennas were responsible for spreading the virus. This rumor led to acts of vandalism against 5G antennas in several countries. Experts debunked this theory, explaining that viruses, including the coronavirus, cannot spread through radio waves.

These examples, however amusing they may seem, demonstrate how fake news can have serious consequences and endanger public health, safety, and democracy. It’s essential to promote media literacy and fact-checking to combat the spread of misinformation.

The spread of fake news on the web is a complex phenomenon involving technical mechanisms, psychological factors, and strategic motivations. The numbers and statistics demonstrate the scale of the problem and the need to take action against disinformation.

To counter the spread of fake news, it is essential to:

1. Promote media literacy and fact-checking to help individuals develop critical thinking and recognize misleading information.
2. Encourage transparency in algorithms and social media platform practices to better understand and regulate how content is disseminated and promoted.
3. Support quality journalism and independent media outlets that can provide reliable and verified information to counter disinformation.
4. Raise public awareness about manipulation techniques and the dangers of fake news to reduce their impact on society and democracy.

As Ramadan draws to a close, let us hope that fraternity and kindness continue to prevail on social media and in our daily lives. Remember that disinformation knows no ceasefire, but it can be defeated by truth and solidarity. In these times of fake news, take the time to seek truth and share messages of hope rather than spreading rumors.

If you enjoyed this article as much as we enjoyed writing it, feel free to share it with your friends, family, baker, hairdresser, downstairs neighbor… you get the idea.

Aid Moubarak Said and may the truth be with you!