“FRIENDS FROM THE MEDIA”: Curbing new media misinformation and disinformation in an election season

BY EDITORIAL TEAM

Our country’s approach to tackling misinformation and disinformation has not been proactive enough.

Decades ago, regulatory institutions such as the National Media Commission (NMC) could easily intervene by writing to local radio or TV stations or newspapers, directing them to issue corrections or withdraw publications after conducting their own investigations or following a victim’s complaint.

It was relatively straightforward to identify a media outlet, which typically had a minimum operating structure, including a physical address, a qualified and recognised editor, and registration with a recognised body, such as the NMC, the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), the then Private Newspapers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the Ghana Publishing Organisation (GPO).

However, with the advent of technology and new media, the regulation of the media space, particularly concerning misinformation and disinformation, has proven to be insufficient.

Addressing the Source and Destination of Misinformation

New media misinformation and disinformation can be tackled from both the perspective of the source and the destination of the “news” or “information.”

Regulators and policymakers, unfortunately, tend to be cautious when dealing with the source of information to avoid stifling freedom of expression. While freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by our constitution, there exists a responsibility not to spread falsehoods or libellous statements. For media practitioners, this responsibility is even greater, as the consuming public often looks to their publications as the truth.

Blogging vs. Journalism

While both bloggers and online news outlets operate in the new media space, it is important that the public distinguish between the two. Blogging primarily seeks to promote the activities of clients to the public, whereas online news outlets serve to deliver factual news reportage, adhering to the code of ethics of journalism. Although bloggers are not inherently responsible for spreading misinformation, factual accuracy is especially crucial, given the significant followings some of them command.

For instance, last month, the Ghana Police Service announced they were pursuing two social media users for allegedly publishing false news in connection with an accident involving the son of Bishop Salifu Amoako. The election season presents an opportunity for stakeholders to scrutinise the operations of bloggers. The recently established New Media Association of Ghana should take the lead in educating and sensitising its members about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.

Political officers and activists

Politicians are among the worst offenders when it comes to spreading starkly false and unverified information. In their attempts to promote their parties and ideologies to the electorate, they often resort to spreading untruths on social media, which are quickly believed, reshared, and acted upon by their followers.

Abuse of ‘Breaking News’

New media platforms and users who misuse the term “Breaking News” tend to publish false and unverified information. The unprofessional use of this term often leads to misleading headlines and misreporting of facts. Breaking news is typically used for stories of significant importance or public interest. The goal is to provide initial reports quickly, even when full details are not available, with subsequent updates as more facts emerge. Unfortunately, the term is often misused to grab attention and spread false information.

Way Forward

To curb misinformation and disinformation in new and social media, a multifaceted approach is required, involving governments, media organisations, technology platforms, and individuals. Below are strategies to address this growing challenge:

• Promote digital and media literacy: Educate individuals to critically evaluate information sources, verify facts, identify biases, and recognise credible news outlets.

• Empower Traditional Media: Traditional media, which tends to be more compliant, must be resourced and empowered to play a peer-review and accountability role concerning new media activities.

• Collaboration with Fact-Checking Bodies: Newsrooms should collaborate with independent fact-checking organisations to quickly debunk false claims. The formation of the Ghana Fact Checking Coalition (comprising the Media Foundation for West Africa, Dubawa, and FactSpace West Africa) ahead of the December 7 elections is commendable. The coalition should remain operational after the elections and be supported to foster a culture of factual information.

• Enforceable Laws and Regulations: There should be clear, enforceable laws to combat the deliberate spread of harmful misinformation while respecting freedom of speech. Social media platforms should be held accountable for the harmful content shared on their platforms.

• Partnerships for Monitoring Disinformation: A partnership between the National Communications Authority, fact-checking bodies, recognised media organisations, and social media companies is essential to actively monitor, restrict, or remove false information, especially during critical periods like elections. Additionally, algorithms should be adjusted to reduce the visibility of disinformation.

• Training for Journalists: Media houses must engage experts to train journalists on how to rigorously verify sources and avoid the inadvertent spread of falsehoods. Regular refresher programs should be held to ensure that journalists stay updated on best practices.