Public participation in crisis The proliferation of false narratives has severely skewed public discourse, undermining people’s ability to participate in public affairs (ICCPR, Art. 25). By manipulating the media landscape, the military restricts genuine civic engagement and diminishes the quality of public participation in governance, further eroding democratic accountability. Attacks on Reputation Coordinated disinformation campaigns are deliberately used to unfairly tarnish the reputations of political opponents and marginalised communities (ICCPR, Art. 17). False allegations, often with a gendered dimension when used against women, serve to vilify individuals and justify repressive policies, ultimately eroding public trust and fostering societal divisions. 4 War propaganda Disinformation frequently crosses the line into incitement and propaganda for war (ICCPR, Art. 20). Fabricated reports and inflammatory rhetoric have not only been used to justify military crackdowns but have also directly contributed to a public appetite for war. This manipulation of facts transforms falsehoods into tools that enable and even promote conflict. Endangering Lives By distorting reality, disinformation endangers lives and destabilises community security (ICCPR, Arts. 6, 9). Manipulated narratives have led to severe human rights violations, including wrongful detentions, extrajudicial killings, and mass displacement. This alarming reality underscores that disinformation is as lethal as any physical weapon. The darkest forms of disinformation The consequences of disinformation campaigns extend far beyond misleading the public. The darkest forms have resulted in many significant human rights violations. Inciting atrocities Disinformation in Myanmar plays a critical role in sparking violence. For over a decade, statesponsored propaganda and coordinated online disinformation campaigns have fanned intercommunal tensions, most notably in the military’s campaign against the Rohingya. Fabricated reports circulated via State-controlled media and social platforms have not only incited brutal military crackdowns but also contributed to thousands of deaths and mass displacement. Since the 2021 coup, similar tactics have been deployed against pro-democracy advocates by portraying them as “terrorists,” thereby justifying mass arrests and violent suppression and fostering an environment where vigilante violence becomes socially acceptable. 4 Human Rights Myanmar (2024), “Gendered impact of the Myanmar coup on free expression”.