The Role of Disinformation and Misinformation in the Tigray Genocide

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Disinformation and misinformation played a crucial role in enabling and exacerbating the genocide against Tigrayans. The Ethiopian and Eritrean governments, along with allied actors, employed a coordinated strategy of false narratives to justify military actions, obscure war crimes, and silence dissent. These tactics included state-sponsored propaganda, manipulated media, and coordinated social media campaigns aimed at delegitimizing Tigrayans and their right to self-governance.

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Key elements of this disinformation campaign included:

 

Demonization of Tigrayans: State and allied media outlets framed Tigrayans as terrorists and existential threats to Ethiopia's unity, fueling ethnic hatred and justifying mass atrocities.

Denial and Obfuscation: Authorities repeatedly denied the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, despite overwhelming evidence from satellite images and survivor testimonies. Reports of massacres, sexual violence, and famine were dismissed as fabricated or exaggerated.

Social Media Manipulation: A network of pro-government accounts spread falsehoods about the war, dismissed independent reports as Western propaganda, and targeted Tigrayan activists and journalists with harassment and threats.

Censorship and Information Blackouts: The Ethiopian government imposed a telecommunications shutdown in Tigray, blocking independent reporting while allowing state narratives to dominate international discourse.

Smearing of Human Rights Organizations: International organizations documenting atrocities faced smear campaigns accusing them of bias, discouraging accountability efforts.

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The consequences were deadly. The spread of disinformation not only shaped public perception but also hindered international intervention. Recognizing and countering these tactics is essential for justice, accountability, and the prevention of future atrocities.

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