By Alusine Sallieu Kargbo
It is safe to say in today’s hyper-connected or digital world, social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, TikTok, esc., promise unlimited access to and dissemination of information in real-time. These platforms at first glance appeared to be keeping people more informed than ever before. But beneath this illusion lies a troubling paradoxical reality: people are increasingly faced and surrounded by overwhelming information, yet they are starved of the truth. This paradox defines what is described as information deficiency amidst social media misuse, which is often driven mainly by algorithmic curation, audience psychological vulnerabilities and the creators’ economy.
Information deficiency in today’s digital world defines not just the lack or absence of information, but the overwhelming presence and circulation of misleading, distorted and unverified contents on social media, which makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish fact from fiction. Social media, while seen as a revolutionary tool in amplifying voices and democratizing communication, it has also become a fertile ground for dis and misinformation, propaganda and social manipulation. And this creates a complex interplay between psychological, cognitive, social and algorithmic biases exacerbated by the increasing dependence on online social media content.
A key primary driver of this crisis is the unchecked spread of misinformation and disinformation through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, for example, where messages are forwarded rapidly, often without verification. A single piece of false information through these channels can reach thousands of audiences within minutes and maybe seconds, and thus shaped public opinions and influence decisions before the truth had a chance to catch up the public. This was evident during the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic, when false claims about the diseases, vaccines and treatments circulated widely, thereby putting more lives at risk than preventing the spread: resorting into an infodemic scenario which is more difficult to tackle than the diseases themselves.
Another concerning factor is the role of algorithms in shaping online content. Social media was designed to maximize public engagement and not to enhance information accuracy. A result of this frequently exposes users to content that aligns with their existing beliefs than new perspectives, and this has created what scholars described as echo chambers. In such information environments, alternative viewpoints are often filtered out, and misinformation is reinforced rather than challenged. An underlying consequence of this is a deeply polarized society where social consensus becomes increasingly difficult and sometimes impossible.
In countries like Sierra Leone, where the digital media space is less proactive, the challenge of tackling information deficiency is even more pronounced. With the growing speed of internet penetration but limited investment in media and information literacy, many social media users lack the skills to critically evaluate and analyse digital media content. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp on this end have become the primary source of news for many. While these platforms increase access to information, they also increase public vulnerability to rumors, fake news, distorted facts and politically motivated narratives especially during critical moments like elections or national crises.
Social media misuse also extends beyond misinformation to include intentional manipulation of public opinion, cyber-bullying and the spread of divisive and inciting content. In environments that are politically sensitive, false narratives have the tendency to ignite ethnic tensions, deepen tribal divisions and also undermine national cohesion and integration. What begins often as a simple social media post can escalate into widespread misunderstanding and or even conflict.
The implications of the growing trends of information deficiency are far more reaching, especially in nations with fragile or weak national institutions. It is most likely that when citizens make decisions based on falsehood democracies suffer, and national unity is often put at stake. And when they rely on unverified medical advices, public health is endangered. With this, trust in state institutions – media government and civil societies – often slowly erodes especially when truth becomes a myth or difficult to identify. This ultimately weakens the very fabric of societies.
Addressing issues of information deficiency requires more than just blaming the advancement of technology. It calls for collective responses. Institutions should develop policies that promote responsible digital communication and usage, while also safeguarding freedom of expression. Educational institutions and civil society organizations should prioritize digital media literacy programs to equip citizens and students with the skills to question, analyse, verify and interpret information critically. At the same end, individuals must take responsibility for their online behavior: like pausing to verify before sharing, questioning sensational claims and valuing information accuracy over virality and economic benefits.
Social media in itself is not inherently harmful – its impact depends on how and for what it is utilized. If social media is harnessed responsibly, it serves as a powerful tool for education, advocacy and development, but when misused, it becomes a weapon of confusion, division and social instability. Tackling information deficiency is critical for the preservation of democracies and harnessing public trust in national institutions. If the digital media landscape is saturated with dis and misinformation, it fosters systemic deficits, which in turn limits public understanding of the reality, nurture polarization and leave the populace vulnerable to manipulation.
The challenge to tackle information deficiency is therefore not just to increase access to information, but to restore the value of truth in a noisy digital world. Until then, we risk remaining informed in appearance but deficient in reality.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 20th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
