A forum aimed at helping communities in South Sudan counter misinformation and hate speech has been held in Jonglei state.
The one-day event in the town of Bor on Friday was organised by the group Digital Rights Frontlines (DRF), with support from Journalists for Human Rights (JHR).
It brought together 50 participants, including civil society representatives, youth and women’s group members, traditional leaders and state officials.
Jonglei State has been severely affected by communal violence, where false information and rumours are often linked to cattle raiding and revenge attacks.
The forum focused on understanding the impact of misinformation and exploring practical ways to promote accurate information.
“Misinformation is fuelling fear, hatred, and violence,” said Paul Machar, a facilitator and DRF representative.
“We want communities to understand how to verify information and prevent falsehoods from influencing actions that threaten peace.”
Participants, including local journalists and community workers, highlighted the urgency of the issue.
“Many conflicts begin with rumours or misleading messages,” said Jessica Ajok, a member of a community-based organisation.
“Learning how to detect and challenge such information will help us protect our communities and rebuild trust.”
At the end of the forum, attendees agreed to collaborate on community awareness campaigns, promote fact-checking, and work with local leaders to reduce the spread of harmful content.
Stakeholders say such dialogue and improved digital literacy are seen as key to breaking the cycle of violence and fostering lasting peace in the region.