How conspiracy theories damage

Nobody is free of biases or fears, which could open the door to believing in a conspiracy theory.

Many conspiracy theorists are deeply convinced of their beliefs. Their whole life and worldview are centred around them.

• Encourage open debate and questions.
• Ask detailed questions about their theory in order to trigger self-reflection.
• Enlist trusted former conspiracy theorists who once believed the same thing.
• Be cautious and use a variety of sources around the theme.
• Don't ri...

Be careful, conspiracy theories are deceptive: they ignore scientific evidence and falsely blame individuals and groups that are not responsible for the pandemic. Do not share them.

“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.”

-Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Is this a conspiracy theory? Check before sharing

Check the author – who is writing this and why?

Unlikely to be a conspiracy theory  

• The author has recognised qualifications and credentials in the topic
• The author uses ver...

Do's

• Focus on the facts you want to communicate, not the myth you want to debunk.
• Choose your target – the author, source or logic behind the conspiracy theory.
• Always state clearly that the information is wrong, before quoting a conspiracy theory.
...

Conspiracy theories often target or discriminate against an entire group perceived as the enemy behind a real or imagined threat. They polarise society and fuel violent extremism. While most people who spread conspiracy theories genuinely believe in them, others deploy them cynically to achieve t...

Most believe they are true. Others deliberately want to provoke, manipulate or target people for political or financial reasons. Beware: They can come from many sources e.g. internet, friends, relatives.

Stopping the spread of conspiracy theories is challenging. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. It depends on the level of exposure. People who firmly believe in conspiracy theories are extremely difficult to reach.

Likely Balanced

• The author does not shy away from exploring complexity, including different perspectives
• The author is prepared to acknowledge limits to their knowledge
• The tone is objective, factual

Unlikely Balanced

What are conspiracy theories? 

The belief that certain events or situations are secretly manipulated behind the scenes by powerful forces with negative intent.

Conspiracy theories have these 6 things in common:

• An alleged, secret plot.
• A gro...

Real conspiracies large and small do exist. They are more often centred on single, self-contained events or an individual like an assassination or a coup d’etat. They are unearthed by whistle-blowers and the media, using verifiable facts and evidence.

Watch out: Perceived "out groups" of society are especially prone to be targets of conspiracy theories, hate speech and disinformation campaigns. This includes people of different origin, religion or sexual orientation.

Conspiracy theories can have serious consequences. Take them seriously....

Why do they flourish? 

They often appear as a logical explanation of events or situations which are difficult to understand and bring a false sense of control and agency.

How do they take root?

Conspiracy theories often start as a suspi...

Likely Reliable and Reputable

• The source has been quoted by several reputable media outlets
• The information is backed by many scientists/academics
• Independent fact-checking websites support the source and related claims

Unlik...