Disinformation in Africa is becoming a major threat to the region’s stability and social cohesion of multi-ethnic societies. The current type of disinformation is particularly challenging due to the vast scope of manipulation, the ease with which information is shared, the various techniques employed, and the many actors involved, including individuals, state actors and foreign governments.
The issue is exacerbated by the lack of effective regulation by global tech platforms, which tend to prioritize politically influential countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. Despite this attention, social media platforms still fail to effectively moderate the content or enforce their own standards. This is of particular concern given that the number of internet users in Africa increased to around 565 million in 2022, six times more than in 2010.
Social media content spreads beyond the internet and influences conventional media and word of mouth. In Africa, social media often acts as a “pavement radio,” with people gathering around a single phone to consume content together. This often blurs the lines between traditional media, social media, and word of mouth, making it difficult to track the flow of information but critical to recognize its influence. This overlapping ecosystem has allowed fake news, often centred on ethnic and religious identity, to shape narratives and contribute to a loss of trust in government and democracy.
Disinformation is enabling authoritarian regimes in Africa, particularly amongst West African countries to control narratives, sow confusion, and undermine democratic movements. Proponents of authoritarianism promote the idea that democratic systems are ineffective in addressing challenges and achieving consensus, and that authoritarian systems are more effective in development and military progress. Fake news and disinformation is particularly rife in the Sahel region, where militants and insurgents spread doctored news and altered photos on social media, this can help to explain the anti-Western and anti-French sentiment amongst African countries in recent months.
Disinformation = increasing violence
False information online has caused outbreaks of violence along religious and ethnic lines, such as the death of 11 people in Nigeria caused by fake images on Facebook. Non-state actors are exploiting the disinformation ecosystem to recruit, expand and organize, undermining democracy. Disinformation is also affecting elections by being used to market political candidates and confuse voters. Foreign interference in elections has become a growing problem, and there is insufficient recognition of how technology and information disorder can impact elections. Disinformation is also impacting gender equality, as women politicians and candidates are facing online attacks.
Disinformation in Africa is a pressing issue that must be addressed if the region is to maintain stability and social cohesion. The unequal enforcement of regulations by tech platforms and the influence of authoritarian governments and foreign actors have only exacerbated the problem. It is imperative that steps are taken to regulate the flow of information and counteract the spread of disinformation. Some countries have introduced legislation surrounding the spread of fake news and others take the other route of imposing internet shutdowns, yet neither of these approaches really tackles disinformation.
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