[kictanet] Talk to NCIC Day 1: Users and Fake News

[Ali Hussein]

Kanini

Thanks for leading this conversation. Alot to learn and internalise.


*Ali Hussein*

*Principal*

*Hussein & Associates*



Tel: +254 713 601113

Twitter: @AliHKassim

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On Thu, Aug 17, 2017 at 10:03 AM, kanini mutemi via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> Dear Listers,
>
>
> We are off to a great start! Thank you for taking the time to participate
> in Day 1 discussions. I have to say the quality of contributions is
> commendable! I look forward to more on Day 2 and Day 3 discussions.  Just
> to sum up:
>
>
> *On (a): Why is there an increase in the prevalence of Fake News recently?*
>
>
> There is consensus that Fake News is a new that is not new. The increase
> of media and ICT distribution channels has amplified the distribution of
> what was simply referred to as propaganda. Data mining/analysis companies
> and bloggers have turned it into a business model. The situation is
> worsened by State Players who have become perpetrators of Fake News as seen
> in the improper pursuit of political interests. In the electioneering
> period, political parties, having noted the instantaneous efficiency of
> Fake News, have invested in it to gain mileage. Lack of accountability for
> perpetrators of Fake News also incentivises its spread.
>
>  I would like to reiterate for the benefit of the NCIC that one of our
> unique Kenyan problems is that Fake News often takes ethnic dimensions.
> Given the situation of our country and its history, this is something that
> needs to be addressed.
>
>
> *On (b): What is the role of different categories of users in combating
> Fake News?*
>
> A clarion call has been issued to invest in a National Value System
> recognizing Fake News jeopardizes the gains of the Internet as we risk the
> loss of trust in media platforms. There is an opportunity for the civil
> society to ‘protect the truth’ and a further call to invest in civic
> education. Unequivocally, all stakeholders have a duty to call out Fake
> News. We must create awareness on what Fake News is, its impact, how to
> spot it and how to stop it. There was an ingenious proposal to engage
> Bloggers as possible combatants of Fake News as they already enjoy wide
> readership.
>
>  *On (c): Have Kenyans given up or are there good practices in combating
> Fake News?*
>
> It is commendable that Kenyans have taken to Fact checking and calling out
> Fake News posts. Some Kenyans are able to spot Fake News quite fast.
> Unfortunately, there is also a feeling that Kenyans are beginning to lose
> trust in the information they receive.
>
>
> *On (d): Is Fake News a manifestation of deeper societal issues and if so,
> are there ways of combating it other than resolving the societal issues?*
>
> It is in agreement that indeed there are deeper societal issues. It has
> been proposed that as we look for ways to combat Fake News as an issue
> itself, we must also address underlying issues like the obsession with
> public office and negative ethnicity.
>
> *On (e): We have Bloggers who are seen as influencers. Do they have a
> higher duty when communicating?*
>
> Bloggers do have a higher duty. However, for some, Fake News is a business
> model with assured traffic. Given that blogging is a highly unregulated
> field- anyone can be a blogger, it may be difficult to enforce this duty.
> ​This is not the end of this conversation. Feel free to add a comment. We
> will now proceed to Day 2 discussions. ​
>
> ​Asanteni sana!​
>
>
> *Mercy Mutemi*.
>
>
>
>
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