Isobelle Clarke, Lancaster University The scientific method is rigorous. Claims and premises are supported with evidence. The peer review system …
Lessons from the Global South on how to counter harmful information
Herman Wasserman, University of Cape Town The large-scale contamination of the public sphere by rumours, hate speech, dangerous conspiracy theories …
Social media is being misused in Kenya’s political arena. Why it’s hard to stop it
The information landscape in Africa – as elsewhere in the world – has expanded exponentially over the last decade. The …
Punitive laws are failing to curb misinformation in Africa. Time for a rethink
Peter Cunliffe-Jones, University of Westminster; Alan Finlay, University of the Witwatersrand, and Anya Schiffrin Misinformation, best understood as false or …
Cultural factors are behind disinformation pandemic: why this matters
Herman Wasserman, University of Cape Town The prevalence of disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic has prompted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the …
Analysis of viral disinformation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
UNESCO has published two policy briefs that offer insights into COVID-19-related disinformation. It notes that COVID-19 has led to a …
Governments are making fake news a crime – but it could stifle free speech
Alana Schetzer, University of Melbourne The rapid spread of fake news can influence millions of people, impacting elections and financial …