technologically-driven devices that have helped in fighting fake news include The Factual, Check, Logically, Grover, Full fact, Sensity AI, ClaimBuster, . Snopes.com, FindExif.com, InVID, Hoaxy, Wolfram, amongst others, which are all powerful artificial intelligence devices that can be used to fight and verify false information. They have, time and over again, helped in revealing the truth behind certain controversial issues in Nigerias political terrain.
Just a few days ago, news about the purported 60-day extension of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was making the rounds across major newspapers, including platforms that have built their reputation and credibility over the years. This generated some level of hysteria amongst Nigerians and even some renowned civil society organisations reacted to the news, which was letter realised to be untrue. However, this was contrary to official information from the Commission through its National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, who confirmed that the CVR will be extended by at least an additional 30 days but without providing a specific timeline or additional information.
While there are some conversations around the extension of the CVR in various quarters, the latest was led by the House of Representatives Committee on INEC and electoral matters, having pushed a motion for the extension of the exercise by 60 days. However, the Commission was yet to officially announce any extension before it became trending news. Unfortunately, no matter how close it is and how credible the platform that reported it is, as far as its untrue, its tagged as fake news and no doubt it can affect the process. In fact, this cannot be differentiated from another similar fake news that made the rounds just forty-eight (48 hours) to the just concluded governorship elections in Ekiti State, alleging the disqualification of the candidate of All Progressives Congress, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, from running in the just concluded Ekiti governorship election. Although the Federal High Court itself eventually debunked the existence of any such case in its entire jurisdiction and indeed the Court Order as alleged, the story had the tendency to do its own damage to the candidate, who however turned out to be the eventual winner of the election.
Despite being one of the most delicate and complicated periods in Nigerias democratic dispensation, election periods are usually engulfed with fake and unconfirmed news reports, which have the tendency of jeopardising the processes. In June 2018, a sitting governor in Ekiti State practically strangled the State radio station to announce fake results to the public, even before the electoral commission declared the official results. This heated the polity and led to the indefinite closure of the station.
Scenarios abound where individuals and groups use their social media platforms to peddle fake news around electoral processes, malpractices, electoral violence and even fake election results. These have continued to exacerbate mutual distrust amongst electoral stakeholders in Nigeria. Factchecking activities leading to the 2019 elections exposed a series of misleading pictures containing false information, which were at other times doctored to misinform or were deployed in false contexts. These were predominant amongst the aides and supporters of the major candidates in the elections, to either promote their candidates or discredit opponents.
Other organisations like Dubawa, TheCable and other conventional media platforms have mastered the art of using technology to counter fake news, especially during the electoral period. Simple google searches and reverse image searches have proven to work in many scenarios when tracking fake news. For instance, Google reverse image searches are basically the process of searching the internet to identify where certain images had been used, in a bid to locate their original sources.
If mushroom media houses and individuals spread fake news, either due to ignorance or for mischievous reasons, it is expected that credible and reputable organisations will take additional steps to verify the veracity of such information. In this era of the proliferation of technology, it becoming even easier to counter fake news.
In recent times, there have been the emergence of online technological platforms specifically dedicated to countering fake news and basically these platforms have continued to play significant roles in debunking such news that can jeopardise Nigerias delicate democratic system. A typical example is FactCheck Elections, an independent, non-partisan and non-profit fact-checking platform with the goal of verifying claims and debunking fake news around electoral activities in Nigeria, using research, data and technological tools. The platform also fact-checks manifestoes, claims made during debates and monitors election results. In most cases, feedbacks are shared via texts, infographics, pictures, videos, animations and social media posts. According to its website, factcheckelections.org, it has set focus on Nigerias 2022 gubernatorial off-cycle and the 2023 general elections.
Other organisations like Dubawa, TheCable and other conventional media platforms have mastered the art of using technology to counter fake news, especially during the electoral period. Simple google searches and reverse image searches have proven to work in many scenarios when tracking fake news. For instance, Google reverse image searches are basically the process of searching the internet to identify where certain images had been used, in a bid to locate their original sources.
there are opportunities availed to us by a lot of technological innovations that can be used to verify and counter fake news, especially in our electoral process. Also, these innovations are available to not just fact-checking platforms but to ordinary Nigerians who are usually the main targets and who are vulnerable to fake news.
Other technologically-driven devices that have helped in fighting fake news include The Factual, Check, Logically, Grover, Full fact, Sensity AI, ClaimBuster, . Snopes.com, FindExif.com, InVID, Hoaxy, Wolfram, amongst others, which are all powerful artificial intelligence devices that can be used to fight and verify false information. They have, time and over again, helped in revealing the truth behind certain controversial issues in Nigerias political terrain.
Interestingly, internet and social media are predominant tools used in spreading fake news but are also being used to fact-check the same through searches and the verification of information through the array of online applications used in fighting fake news. As a matter of fact, social media platforms like Facebook are also taking additional strategies to tackle false news, fake accounts and hate speech, and it also held the Election Integrity Exhibition for media, civil society partners and other stakeholders in Nigeria. One of such measures utilised is to ensure that only advertisers and agencies are allowed to promote political contents. This is in a bid to curb the spread of fake news during elections in Nigeria. Thus, news platforms and individuals can verify the claims on official social media pages before publishing and promoting stories around the electoral process.
In a nutshell, there are opportunities availed to us by a lot of technological innovations that can be used to verify and counter fake news, especially in our electoral process. Also, these innovations are available to not just fact-checking platforms but to ordinary Nigerians who are usually the main targets and who are vulnerable to fake news.
Olasupo Abideen is a good governance, youth investment and public policy enthusiast. Abideen serves as the Kwara state coordinator of the NotTooYoungToRun movement and he is the executive director, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative. Please send comments and feedback to abideenolasupo@gmail.com. He tweets @opegoogle.
Donate
TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999
Read the original post:
- France Takes Legal Action Against Israeli Fake News Firm Revealed by Haaretz - Israel Did Nothing - National Security ... - Haaretz - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Totally Not Fake News: Airing of grievances...Houston Texans and otherwise - Battle Red Blog - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Fake news sites, misinformation exploding thanks to new tech - Fox News - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- The Candice Malcolm Show | The biggest fake news HOAXES of 2023 - True North - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Evaluating truthfulness of fake news through online searches increases chances of believing misinformation: Study - Phys.org - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Unsure if news is true? You may be more likely to believe misinformation - The Jerusalem Post - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Lions on the loose in Indianapolis? Its not true, its fake news, zoo officials say - FOX 59 Indianapolis - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- No, Adele was not holding a Palestinian flag at one of her recent concerts - Truth or Fake - FRANCE 24 English - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- X to be investigated for allegedly breaking EU laws on hate speech and fake news - The Guardian - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- AI-generated weapons of mass misinformation have arrived - MSNBC - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Deepfakes are everywhere! Who is keeping the tab on fake news? - afaqs! - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Analysts hit out at the use of smear tactics and fake news by Western nations - China Daily - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Please respect my history and respect my boys - Jose Mourinho says his alleged all-time XI including Cristiano ... - Sportskeeda - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Call to secure prompt response to fake news ahead of elections in Belarus - Belarus News (BelTA) - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- As fake nudes become latest AI headache, experts call for regulation and awareness - The Indian Express - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Newsable: Fact-checking fake news can make you more likely to believe it - Stuff.co.nz - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Alleged fake nurse charged with forgery and impersonation on Vancouver Island - CBC.ca - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Lions on the loose in United States? - ARY NEWS - December 22nd, 2023 [December 22nd, 2023]
- Fake news, real victims: The tragedy of the Middle East bombings - The Hill - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- New YouTube Recommendation Feature After Government Notice On Fake News - NDTV - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- Fake news exposed: Injured Gaza baby photo proven to be AI-generated - The Jerusalem Post - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- Social media trolling and spread of fake news are threat to Irish ... - The Irish Times - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- FG won't trample on rights of citizens in fight against fake news, says ... - TheCable - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- Russian Propagandists Are Dancing on the Bones of Israel-Hamas ... - The Moscow Times - October 22nd, 2023 [October 22nd, 2023]
- Health Ministry rebukes Elon Musk for 'fake news' about COVID-19 - The Times of Israel - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Elon Musk Is Flirting With a Fake AOC Twitter Account - The New Republic - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Fake news is only getting worse | News | mymcr.net - Monroe County Reporter - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Identifying fake news requires actively open-minded thinking, new ... - Concordia University News - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Binance's Changpeng Zhao complains of fake news and hints at ... - CoinGeek - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- DISINFORMATION, MISINFORMATION AND FAKE NEWS - The Star Online - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Will Brazil's 'Fake News Bill' regulate disinformation or stifle free ... - The World - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Sedition Not Ruled Out For Spreading Fake News, Misinformation On Manipur - NDTV - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Journalists at the front lines battling fake news - The Star Online - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- 'Fake news' -- Dele Alake debunks reports of appointment as ... - TheCable - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- FAKE NEWS ALERT: We are not recruiting, PenCom tells jobseekers - TheCable - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- May 29: DSS warns against fake news, says there are plans to ... - TheCable - May 31st, 2023 [May 31st, 2023]
- Study reveals key reason why fake news spreads on social media - April 6th, 2023 [April 6th, 2023]
- Rob Gronkowski shuts down rumors of Bill Belichick shopping Mac Jones: 'I think that was fake news' - Fox News - April 6th, 2023 [April 6th, 2023]
- Fake cop arrested after attempting traffic stop of real cop - The Mercury News - April 6th, 2023 [April 6th, 2023]
- False information is being spread: Officials on fake news over attack on Bihari migrant workers in Tamil Nadu - India Today - March 4th, 2023 [March 4th, 2023]
- These Were the 10 Most-Viewed Fake News Stories on Facebook in 2019 - February 20th, 2023 [February 20th, 2023]
- TOTALLY NOT FAKE NEWS: The Texans Off-Season Off to a Fast and Furious Start... - Battle Red Blog - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- What would happen if a space rock crashed into your town? Find out with this simulator - CW39 Houston - January 23rd, 2023 [January 23rd, 2023]
- Did Fake News On Facebook Help Elect Trump? Here's What We Know - NPR.org - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- Working to Stop Misinformation and False News - Facebook - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- FAKE NEWS FAILING: The Washington Post Has Lost 500K Subscribers Since ... - January 10th, 2023 [January 10th, 2023]
- Types of fake news: Know the difference between misinformation and disinformation - News9 LIVE - January 8th, 2023 [January 8th, 2023]
- Fact Check: WEF's Statement To Bathe Once A Week To Combat Climate Change. Is It True? - Outlook India - January 8th, 2023 [January 8th, 2023]
- How fake news gets into our minds, and what you can do to resist it - December 25th, 2022 [December 25th, 2022]
- TOTALLY NOT FAKE NEWS: No Time to Celebrate for the TexansThey Got Football To Play - Battle Red Blog - December 25th, 2022 [December 25th, 2022]
- FAKE NEWS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Fake news. It's complicated. - First Draft - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Fake news: What is it? And how to spot it - CBBC Newsround - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Kangana Ranaut reacts to reports about Emergency allowed to be shot in Parliament: Its fake news - Bollywood Hungama - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Due diligence was required, or a Google search: The Quint CEO pulls up Ravish Kumar on his claims of Adani owning the organisation - OpIndia - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Fake news: How to spot misinformation : Life Kit : NPR - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- How the US Government Used Propaganda to Sell Americans on ... - HISTORY - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- TMCs Saket Gokhale spreads fake report claiming 30 crore was spent on PMs Morbi visit citing RTI response that does not exist - OpIndia - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- Fighting Misinformation, Meet Andy Norman, Who is Empowering People to Combat Fake News - News18 - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- Fake News: Why People Believe, How It Spreads, and What You Can Do ... - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- TOTALLY NOT FAKE NEWS: The Texans Look to Bounce Back - Battle Red Blog - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Report of armed robbery of Harrison Twp. bar appears to be a case of fake news, Sheriff Streck says - WHIO - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- On the Philippines fake news problem - BusinessWorld Online - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Get Rs 5000 if received Covid shots - This claim is FAKE #FactChecked - OTV News - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Centre warns against propagating hate, spreading fake news on social media - Times Now - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Congress Initiates Action Against BJP's Priti Gandhi, 4 Others Over 'Fake News' - The Quint - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Brazil Has Never Been So Prepared to Fight Fake News - Americas Quarterly - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- Totally Not Fake News: The Texans And The Fallout From History - Battle Red Blog - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- OVP studying whether to file complaints vs. those spreading fake news regarding Duterte - GMA News Online - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- Study Says Many Teens Cant Tell The Difference Between Real And Fake News - HuffPost - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- TikTok is infested with fake news, according to this study - Gearrice - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- Heavy losses for Ukraine, the feats of Russian soldiers, and fake news from Kyiv - Meduza - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- NASCAR & NBA Arent the Sports Responsible for Michael Jordan & Denny Hamlins $150 Million Fake News Collaboration - EssentiallySports - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- A short history of fake history: Why fighting for the truth is critical - Salon - September 17th, 2022 [September 17th, 2022]
- What is fake news? - Definition from WhatIs.com - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Fake News is All Around Us - Seed World - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Totally Not Fake News: For the Texans, the End of the Beginning? - Battle Red Blog - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Fake news and the real thing - Buenos Aires Times - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- The death of Queen Elizabeth II is giving rise to scams and fake news - Komando - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]
- Data: Cases booked for 'Circulation of Fake News' down 42% in 2021; Pendency increases while Conviction rate comes down - Factly - September 11th, 2022 [September 11th, 2022]