“A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots”

– Mark Twain

When it comes to community resilience, misinformation can have significant negative consequences. In many areas it acts as a catalyst to tensions.

 

This can take the form of myths or conspiracies about ‘no go zones’, or of rumours about migrant groups being offered preferential treatment by the council. Increasingly in recent years, some locally focused Facebook groups or neighbourhood message-boards have become hubs of misinformation and hearsay.

 

This guide looks at how councils and other stakeholders can promote positive narratives about migration and diversity. It focuses on the role of local news outlets – and particularly local papers – but also looks at other ways of challenging misinformation.