The Truth in Stories: Rebuilding Unity Amid Misinformation and Division

Art and media have long been wielded to reinforce power structures and perpetuate division. In digital spaces today, algorithmic biases intensify polarization, creating bubbles where hate often drowns out empathy. As institutional trust erodes, fear fills the void. In these conditions, accessible, inclusive storytelling becomes more essential than ever.

Bianca van Rooi, a community leader and storyteller of South African descent, launched the Triangle Project in 2022 and created the Mbaula Podcast to rewrite dominant narratives that often portray queer Africans solely as victims of violence or erasure.

“Although hate crimes and discrimination are real, they are not the only stories we carry,” Bianca says. “We wanted to showcase Black queer joy—not in reaction to hate, but in celebration of who we are.”

Bianca notes that reactive storytelling often amplifies harmful narratives. Instead, the Mbaula Podcast team created an alternative archive, stories of joy, celebration, and resilience. “If someone types in ‘queer’ online, we want them to see joy, not just tragedy,” Bianca explains.

Armed with smartphones and voice notes, her team collected stories within their communities, choosing podcasting for its accessibility and intimacy. “We exist. We love. We laugh. And we want the world to know that,” she says. For Bianca, authenticity begins with who tells the story - not institutions, but the community itself.

But narrative building is not exclusive to the arts. Valeria Sol Groisman, Associate Editor for BeCult in Argentina, addresses misinformation from within the structures of legacy media. For her, the danger of misinformation lies not only in its rapid spread but in its emotional resonance. “Even when presented with contradictory evidence, people often cling to false information because it aligns with their beliefs,” she explains.

Valeria points to a core challenge: the public's limited understanding of cognitive and algorithmic biases. “To address this knowledge gap effectively, we need to create engaging, entertaining, and easily digestible content that demystifies the concept of bias and empowers individuals to navigate the digital landscape with greater awareness,” she adds.

Public trust in institutions has sharply declined during a time of polarization and misinformation. As per the latest research, while individuals may still follow select news outlets, broader perceptions of bias, opacity, and underrepresentation persist, particularly among marginalized groups.

Valeria reflects on journalism’s shifting role. “In Argentina, and I think this resonates globally, there’s a blurring of lines between journalism, activism, and politics. When journalists align with partisan causes, we lose the public’s trust. And without trust, even the truth becomes suspect.”

She isn’t advocating for neutrality in the face of injustice, but for a recommitment to an independent, fact-based narrative. 

“True journalism demands clarity of purpose. Our allegiance must be to the facts, not to factions,” Valeria insists.

Bianca emphasizes that trust is cultivated when communities see their own stories told authentically. “In South Africa, people think they will only see trans people fighting for their rights. But when we share stories of local communities, their success, and careers, things change. We are not then defined by our sexuality, and this builds trust in the media ecosystems.” For Bianca, the key to countering disinformation lies in ensuring that communities have the agency to tell their own stories.

Though their approaches differ, both Bianca and Valeria recognize that countering misinformation is intrinsically linked to rebuilding trust. Bianca prioritizes proximity and community empowerment, while Valeria underscores consistency, credibility, and transparency in reporting. As Valeria notes, “Interpersonal trust is stronger than trust in abstract institutions... If we show up, report truthfully and empathetically, and stay transparent, trust can be rebuilt.”

Utilizing their tools of art and journalism, each of these Fellows are part of a global movement that understands the antidote to misinformation lies not only in fact-checking, but in storytelling. Constructing narratives rooted in lived experience, communal celebration, and accountable truth can bridge divides. Amid polarization, their call is clear: create stories that connect, heal, and resonate.