Fake news beware!

By Dr Nana Sifa Twum, Communications Consultant

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has called for the collaboration of the traditional media to stop misinformation, disinformation and fake news, particularly as the country heads for the general election.

According to him, those three vices could jeopardise the security of the country for which the media must work together with the police to nip in the bud.

Fake news refers to false or misleading information presented as news. It can be spread through various media, including social networks, news websites, and traditional media outlets. The intent behind fake news can vary from political manipulation and financial gain to mere sensationalism. Here are some key points about fake news:

The call by the IGP is timely and relevant as the nation heads towards the polls this year.

Access to media and information dissemination has become an all-time easy and without any form of awareness and circumspection.

Social media arguably is the main channel for such fake news piping. People anywhere and anytime just decide to write or record anything and start circulating without thinking of the effect it would have on him or her and the entire society.

With the introduction of the Internet and its associated media, a greater number of the world’s population have access to at least one form of Internet media or the other, be it, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, or Instagram among many others. These are meant to promote the holistic social life of the individual hence its popular name social media.

Social media has come to stay; it has become part of business, social, political, and economic life.

Undoubtedly it is the best tool for propaganda today in all aspects of life.

Propaganda is a specific type of message presented directly aimed at influencing the opinion of people, rather than impartially providing information.

In Ghana and like many other countries, the use of social media leaves so much to be desired. This is not to say that it is not being used properly at all. Many individuals have found the facilities very useful, by way of studies, research, and business activities such as marketing and advertising.

In fact, social media has been an effective tool for the public sphere where peer groups, organisations, and individuals use it primarily for pertinent discourse tailored to their needs and aspirations.

Unfortunately, the other side of the use of social media in Ghana has very little, if anything at all, to show by way of meeting the expectations of many.

Today, one would be tempted to say that such a powerful communications tool such as has woefully fallen into the hands of people who do not have any knowledge of its critical importance as well as the dangers it poses.

In the words of the IGP, “We must work together and find a way of dealing with this matter, else the people who don’t wish this country well, even including some Ghanaians who have not seen war before and yet want to see that there is confusion, will use that as a medium of creating confusion for selfish interests which are demonic.”

Fake news could be hoaxes and fabrications which are completely made-up stories with no factual basis. It could also be misleading headlines such as a true event reported with exaggerated or misleading headlines. Satire or Parody type of news could also be a form of fake news which is intended for humour, but in effect has dire consequences because news customers may sometimes take it seriously.

Sometimes genuine information shared with false contextual information may end up as fake news and impostor content such as fake information attributed to genuine sources, as well as intentionally manipulated content news stories could all be described as fake news. These all abound today in all stocks of media in Ghana.

The impact of these is critical. Fake news could cause severe political influence, public trust, damage to social cohesion and above all security threats.

Fake news has gained notoriety across the globe. In some advanced countries, there are ways of working against it. Algorithms and tools that detect and flag potential fake news.

Such strategies could be deployed in Ghana such as the enactment and full enforcement of legislation as well as national sensitisation.

Understanding and addressing fake news requires a multi-faceted approach involving technology, education, regulation, and individual responsibility. Media literacy in this direction is key. Literate citizens must evaluate news sources and content before believing and acting on them.

Ghanaians must also learn to validate information before spreading it on social media. When we are not sure of information, be it video, audio or text, it must end up with us or seek for more information.

Today it is about someone or something else tomorrow it may be you. So take action now to quell fake news!

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