At this moment, the entire country is facing the threat of strong winds, heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides. While the Disaster Management Centre continues its operations, messages, information, and even fake news spread through our mobile phones much faster. The question is this: Do the pieces of information we exchange bring relief to those affected? Or do they create another danger?
International organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have introduced standard protocols regarding digital media behaviour during disaster situations. The CDAC (Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities) network describes this principle as “Information is Aid.” This means that just as a meal packet or a bottle of water can help save a life, even a single word we publish on social media may help save someone.
Verify Before You Amplify
According to international humanitarian standards, sharing unverified information is an ethical violation. One of the most serious mistakes many of us unknowingly make is sharing old flood photographs as “today’s incident.” This is not only a matter of spreading lies, it also misguides rescue teams.
As highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), we must follow the triangulation method during such situations. This means verifying any piece of information through at least two different sources. For example, a post seen on Facebook should be checked against official announcements by the Meteorology Department or the Disaster Management Centre.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a New Threat
By 2025, the newest challenge we face is AI-generated images. It has now become easy to create fake images of distressed children or destroyed buildings and release them on social media. This causes unnecessary fear and panic among the public. UN guidelines point out that such artificial empathy can overshadow the real disaster on the ground.
Therefore, no image created through technological tools, however artistic it may appear, should be shared as news during a disaster. This is a responsibility of digital citizens.
Setting Politics Aside and Supporting State Mechanisms
Many studies confirm that political commentary shared during disasters often suppresses the SOS calls made by affected people. According to international humanitarian principles, during disasters the armed forces, police, and government officials play a life-saving role.
Spreading false information that disrupts rescue operations or demoralizes officials is a violation of international codes of conduct. In developed countries, all citizens and media institutions rally around one unified message during disasters. Setting criticism and debate aside for later, and sharing only official information at this time, is a characteristic of a wise citizen.
Value Living Over Heroism: Do Not Take Risks for Reach
In the competition for greater audience reach on social media, many digital creators unknowingly fall into deadly traps. A golden rule mentioned in international media ethics states:
“No story is worth your life.”
Standing beside a fast-flowing river or at the base of a landslide-prone hill to do a Facebook Live may earn you thousands of likes. But if you are struck by a sudden surge of water, the social service you have been doing ends instantly.
As emphasized in international disaster guidelines, if you hope to save another life tomorrow or provide more service, you must live safely today. A deceased or injured volunteer has very limited ability to contribute to society.
Recognizing Limitations and Giving Space to Professionals
It is natural to feel the urge to help during a disaster. However, according to international disaster management principles, awareness of one’s limitations is extremely important.
If you cannot swim, jumping into water to save someone being swept away is not heroism, it is creating another danger. This only adds one more person for rescue teams to save.
Therefore, if your role is communication, do it from a safe location. Give priority to trained members of the tri-forces, the police, and disaster management officers. In Sri Lanka, it is common to see disaster tourists crowding affected areas, blocking access routes needed for ambulances and boats.
Understanding that true humanitarian support means stepping aside and not obstructing professionals is a hallmark of a wise citizen.
The Responsibility of a Citizen Journalist
The smartphone in our hands is a powerful tool. According to IFRC guidelines, the principle of Do No Harm must be followed even in digital spaces. Let us avoid sharing images of affected children’s faces, dead bodies, or photos that may damage the dignity of individuals.
Before pressing Post or Share, take a second look.
Is this something that will help save someone’s life? Or will it only create more panic?
In the digital era, real heroes are not only those who dive into floodwaters to save people, those who share information responsibly and help keep society calm are also heroes.
This article was prepared based on documents such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the ICRC Social Media Guidelines.
Ajith Parakum Jayasinghe