Introduction
For those who want a truthful discussion, yet may sometimes struggle to respond to false claims, this report, Countering misinformation about refugees and migrants: An evidence-based framework, is designed to help you know what to do and when.
With an easy-to-follow decision tree and how-to examples, this report can equip you to respond across a range of situations— and lays the groundwork for you to create responses aligned with your own aims.
False narratives about refugees and migrants are increasingly shaping public opinion—both in Australia and globally. Understanding how misinformation works, and knowing when and how to respond, is crucial for fostering informed, fact-based discussions. Source
While the focus is on addressing misinformation in the Australian debate about refugees and migration, the framework can be adapted for use in other countries and across a variety of issues.
This report is not a prescriptive messaging ‘playbook’. Instead, it provides key principles and a structured framework: a step-by-step approach to help you engage with misinformation effectively. It lays the groundwork for you to create responses aligned with your own aims.
With an easy-to-follow decision tree and how-to examples, this report can equip you to respond across a range of situations— so that it’s clear:
- when you should ‘prebunk’ (a technique that helps people recognise and resist misinformation before it takes hold);
- when you should ‘debunk’ (expose and correct false claims); and
- when you should just ignore misinformation and tell better stories.
The report also includes evidence-backed engagement strategies to support maximum impact when you do intervene to stop misinformation.
6 Ways Misinformation Spreads
Online platforms create the perfect breeding ground for misinformation to spread. The rise of AI-generated misinformation – such as highly convincing deepfake images and videos – only exacerbates the problem.
Combating misinformation begins with understanding the psychological factors that drive its spread and influence. Our new report identifies six key behavioural science principles that explain how misinformation takes hold:
1. Hot states
Heightened emotions, such as fear, outrage or anxiety, make people more reactive and less critical of misleading claims.
2. The messenger effect
People judge a message’s truth based on who shares it, often trusting friends and family over experts.
3. The mere-exposure effect
Seeing misinformation multiple times makes it seem more true, making people more likely to share it.
4. Confirmation bias
People are more likely to believe false information that aligns with their values and reject facts that challenge them.
5. Cognitive load
When overwhelmed by information, people are less likely to question what they see, making them more vulnerable to falsehoods.
6. Continued influence effect
Misinformation has a lasting effect on our attitudes and decisions, even after it has been corrected.
Building on these principles and an extensive review of research literature, we developed an evidence-based framework for countering misinformation about refugees and migrants.
It provides a step-by-step guide on what to do when faced with falsehoods, starting with recognising whether the misinformation is anticipated or already circulating.
When Misinformation is…
… Anticipated
When you expect a particular false claim, but it’s not yet out there, then prebunk. Alert people to manipulation tactics before they become widespread.
This helps people recognise and resist misinformation before it takes hold.
… Already Circulating
If false claims are already out there, first ask three questions before acting:
- Is the claim prominent (visible and gaining traction)?
- Is it persuasive (able to change people’s minds)?
- Is it proximate (relevant to your audience and cause)?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then reframe the agenda. Instead of amplifying falsehoods, shift your resources to sharing stories that reinforce accurate information and resonate with your audience’s values.
If misinformation is indeed prominent, persuasive and proximate, debunk it.
Use the fact, myth, fallacy, fact – or “fact sandwich” – method. Make the correction clear, credible and effective by stating the truth, then presenting the myth, explaining its flaws, and reinforcing the correct fact.
Here’s an example that leads with a fact, warns about the myth, explains the fallacy and then ends with a fact:
<div style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-left: 4px solid #e0643b; padding: 10px 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; border-radius: 4px;">
<p style="font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 8px; color: #333;
When Australia’s borders were closed during COVID, migration was at its lowest in a century — yet house prices still went up. The idea that cutting migration will magically solve the housing crisis doesn’t hold up against the evidence.</p>
<p>But some political actors are blaming migrants, as if they’re the main reason housing has become unaffordable.</p>
<p>In fact, this oversimplifies the problem. The housing crisis has been a long time in the making, and it’s now this severe because of past policy choices piling up.</p>
<p>There are many drivers of Australia’s housing crisis, including a lack of housing, rising construction costs, and tax breaks that distort the market. Migration is only a small piece of the puzzle.</p>
</div>When Australia’s borders were closed during COVID, migration was at its lowest in a century — yet house prices still went up. The idea that cutting migration will magically solve the housing crisis doesn’t hold up against the evidence.
But some political actors are blaming migrants, as if they’re the main reason housing has become unaffordable.
In fact, this oversimplifies the problem. The housing crisis has been a long time in the making, and it’s now this severe because of past policy choices piling up.
There are many drivers of Australia’s housing crisis, including a lack of housing, rising construction costs, and tax breaks that distort the market. Migration is only a small piece of the puzzle.
How to Engage Audiences
The report also details seven strategies that drive reach and impact.
These include publicly communicating in a way that’s
- consistent
- repeated
- coordinated with other groups with similar goals
- appeals to your audience’s values and emotions, and
- uses humour.
Report Excerpts
Here is a sneak peek into the report.
Access Resources
Report
Countering misinformation about refugees and migrants: An evidence-based framework (40 pgs PDF)
Article
Templates and Decision Tree Framework
- Decision Tree Framework for Countering Misinformation (1 pg PDF)
- How-to Template: Prebunking Anticipated Misinformation (1 pg PDF)
- How-to Template: Debunking Identified Misinformation (1 pg PDF)
Podcast
Listen to Podcast on Soundcloud and iTunes.
Video
Speed Briefing: Countering misinformation about refugees and migrants
In this 30 minute speed briefing, coauthors Professor Daniel Ghezelbash (UNSW Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law) and Saul Wodak (Behavioural Insights Team) step through the framework, empowering you to create stronger, fact-based conversations.
Explore Further
- From Elephants to Sandwiches: Countering False Information
- Disinformation vs Misinformation: Definitions & Types
- A Guide to Prebunking: A Promising Way to Inoculate Against Misinformation
- How Civil Society can Counter Disinformation
- Understanding Refugee Rights: Combatting misinformation and disinformation, Amnesty International
- Framing Issues for Social Justice Impact: Directory of Messaging Guides
- Reframing Migration Narratives Toolkit
- Words that Work: Making the Best Case for People Seeking Asylum
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