Bangladesh, April 26 -- Across the Sahel, the signs of crisis are clear and severe: dry land, failing crops, closed clinics, and broken supply routes that leave many communities facing hunger. Yet for millions of people scrolling through their phones, a very different story appears. On social media, military takeovers are described as heroic victories, controversial resource deals are presented as national achievements, and economic decline is hidden behind constant messages of success. Between these digital narratives and real conditions on the ground, a growing gap has formed-and that gap is now being used as a tool of power.

This situation is often called the “Great Distortion.” It reflects a major change in how influence ...