Social media has given us free reign to share our thoughts and learn from others. Whilst it is often a force for good, misinformation also spreads rapidly, damaging reputations and undermining trust. Posts that look credible in presentation and format are frequently shared without verification, causing real harm. For charities, whose survival depends on its credibility and honesty, false rumours can be devastating.
As the Quran reminds us: “If a wicked person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance” (Quran 49:6). This article, as part of The #GiveSmartGiveSafe Series, will help you strive for excellence in your donations by exploring how to identify false information, prevent its spread and ensure you’re helping to protect hardworking charities rather than unintentionally harming them.
The Problem of Misinformation in the Charity Sector
A recent example of how misinformation can harm charities occurred in December of 2020, when false allegations were made against a charity by The Times newspaper. Although the claims were completely baseless, they threatened the charity’s reputation and credibility. After a lengthy legal battle, the Times were forced to pay £50,000 in damages and publicly apologise to the charity. However, the damage had already been done and the charity had to work hard to rebuild public trust.
This case highlights the detriment of misinformation, not just for the targeted charities but also for the sources that spread false claims. Misinformation can divert donations away from legitimate causes, reduce trust in charitable organisations and force charities to spend valuable resources defending themselves instead of focusing on their mission.
Identifying and Stopping Misinformation at the Source
If you come across questionable information about a charity whether on social media, in WhatsApp groups, or through word of mouth, it’s crucial to stop and think before sharing it. Go through our simple four step fact checking process so you and others don’t unintentionally spread misinformation.
Step One: Check the charity’s official website and reports to see if a statement has been released.
Step Two: Look at statements from regulatory bodies like The Charity Commission for England and Wales. Have they mentioned anything relating to what you have read?
Step Three: Ask for evidence from the person, asking who they received this information from, how they are known to them and where the claim originated. Always check the sources.
Step Four: Contact the charity directly for clarification. Charities strive for a healthy dialogue with their donors and so would welcome these types of questions. It will also help alert them to misinformation and address it on their own platforms if they haven’t already.
If you see information you know to be false online, report it. The more you report false information, the faster it gets taken down and the less engagement it gets.
Ramadan is a crucial time for charities, as many Muslims want to contribute their donations to ‘trustworthy’ organisations. False claims and misleading accusations can deter donors from supporting legitimate causes, leading to decreased funding for projects that help vulnerable communities.
Being vigilant about misinformation is a proactive way in supporting both charities and the wider sector from marginalisation. The more people verify information before sharing, the less damage false claims can cause.
As part of our #GiveSmartGiveSafe campaign, we encourage donors to act with excellence (Ihsan) in giving by ensuring that donations are guided by truth and integrity. By understanding the impact of misinformation and taking responsibility for stopping its spread, we can all play a role in protecting charities from unnecessary harm and ensuring that charitable giving remains a trusted and impactful act.
Share this article with your friends and family so that they can be informed on how to spot misinformation and prevent its spread as soon as possible.
May Allah (swt) accept our efforts, guide us in giving with sincerity and enable our donations to uplift those in need. Ameen.
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