In the days leading up to the recent significant influx of migrants to Europe, a brief video shared on Instagram gained 1.4 million views. The video depicted a young man partially submerged in water with a map illustrating a sea route from Fnideq, Morocco, to Ceuta, a Spanish enclave. The post indicated that the journey had been successful.
This video was just one of many viral posts on platforms like Instagram and TikTok that seemed to have influenced two waves of irregular migration from Morocco to Ceuta. The latest attempt on August 15 resulted in numerous arrests.
These posts were associated with various online communities focusing on migration-related content such as music, memes, and imagery. Some of these accounts seemed to exploit the aspirations of African and Middle Eastern youth seeking better prospects abroad.
There is ongoing debate among governments and organizations regarding the orchestration of the events in Ceuta and whether migration was exploited for political purposes. However, it is evident that misinformation spread by multiple online communities played a significant role in driving the migration waves towards Ceuta this summer.
CBC’s visual investigations team, in collaboration with Sebastian Vandermeersch of Bellingcat, identified numerous social media accounts on platforms like Instagram that were active before the initial wave on July 30. Misinformation suggesting a shift in Spanish policy towards migrant arrivals triggered a surge in posts, leading to over 72,000 individuals crossing the border on that day.
While most of those who crossed on July 30 have since returned to Morocco, around 5,000 individuals remain in Ceuta, with some residing on a beach with support from charities. Tragically, nearly 100 people lost their lives during the crossing attempt.
The impact of misinformation propagated by online communities on vulnerable individuals seeking answers is evident in the events surrounding the Ceuta crossings. Social media accounts directed followers to WhatsApp groups for organizing crossings and provided guidance on reaching Ceuta.
After the July 30 incident, Meta and TikTok agreed to fact-check posts to prevent criminal groups from exploiting misinformation for profit. However, a new wave of posts emerged ahead of August 15, promoting it as another opportunity for entry into Spain. Accounts involved in mobilizing the initial crossing were active again, alongside numerous newly created accounts.
The surge in online activity was fueled by the fact that an increasing number of migrants had successfully reached Ceuta even before the Spanish court ruling. The Mixed Migration Centre reported that Ceuta had become a popular entry point into Spain earlier in the year.
While social media played a role in shaping the misinformation surrounding the crossings, it did not create the desire to migrate. Accounts identified by CBC reflected the disillusionment and desperation prevalent among young people in North Africa, using imagery and language that glorified migration.
The desperation among youth facing high unemployment rates and limited opportunities has made them susceptible to migration-related messaging. Instagram influencers and accounts with themes of departure attract thousands of followers, showcasing images of individuals in wetsuits near beaches, possibly alluding to the route from Fnideq to Ceuta.
The ambiguous messages, often mentioning European destinations without explicitly offering ways to reach them, have resonated with individuals seeking better prospects abroad. Despite efforts to contact accounts associated with the July 30 and August 15 crossings, there has been no response.
The events in Ceuta highlight the complex interplay between online misinformation, desperation, and the aspirations of individuals seeking a better life beyond their borders.