Maps are frequently perceived as objective records of reality, yet they possess a unique authority that can be exploited to distort facts and influence public perception. While technical projections, such as those that alter the perceived size of continents, are a known cartographic reality, the deliberate manipulation of boundaries for political gain presents a more significant challenge. This phenomenon, often termed "maptivism," has become increasingly prevalent as digital tools allow for the rapid creation and dissemination of fabricated geographic data.
A study of political shifts in Ethiopia between 2014 and 2018 highlights how maps were utilized during periods of civil unrest. Initially, opposition groups used maps to challenge government-led territorial re-engineering and expose perceived inaccuracies in state-issued textbooks. However, following the 2018 political reforms, the nature of this cartographic activity shifted. As the coalition of Oromo and Amhara groups fractured, these maps were repurposed to advance competing ethnic claims, with various factions inflating regional boundaries to create overlapping zones of control.
The research notes that these digital images often outlive the specific political disputes that birthed them. As maps circulate on social media, their original context is frequently lost, and their age can erroneously grant them a sense of historical authenticity. This process risks cementing propaganda as "history," potentially fueling future conflicts, as seen in the 1998-2000 Ethiopian-Eritrean war, which was partly driven by conflicting interpretations of colonial-era maps.
Experts argue that addressing this issue requires a higher degree of "cartographic literacy." As the barrier to creating and sharing maps continues to drop, viewers are encouraged to critically evaluate the origins, purposes, and data sources behind the maps they encounter, rather than accepting them as neutral evidence.
Source: The Conversation
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