[kictanet] PRE KIGF ONLINE DISCUSSIONS DAY 2- FAKE NEWS DURING ELECTIONEERING

Wed Jun 28 15:05:43 EAT 2017

Really interesting perspectives so far:

@Diacen I like that- 'fake News is NEWS'. Just to follow up, does Fake News
do any damage? Is there a reason to step in and regulate Fake News.

@Gertrude I think one of the key things that is coming out clearly about
Fake News is it being DISINFORMATION as opposed to MISINFORMATION. I wonder
whether such instances are as rampant here as was seen in the US Elections.

@Barrack that's a fresh perspective on upholding traditional tenets of
Journalism as a counter for Fake News. However, given that a lot of Fake
News is peddled over social media and that Fake News is more sensational
(Hot! so to speak) will this be effective in slowing down the spread of
Fake News?

@Grace, given @Barrack's observation that Fake News is now a cash cow, why
then discourage the propagation of Fake News? What is the harm?

@Francis, I like that you throw the ball back to the consumers- due
diligence. I see a concern here however, Fake News based on psychographic
analysis targets a particular demographic who are gullible and will readily
believe alternative facts to build on their pre conceived notions. They
themselves may never know they are consuming Fake News. What about that
group of people?

On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 1:27 PM, Francis Monyango via kictanet <
kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:

> (a)Is Fake News a problem for Kenya?
>
> It depends. Yes and No.
>
> (b) Companies such as Cambridge Analytica have been said to use
> pyschographic techniques such as voter profiling during elections to
> determine who gets to hear what message. Advertising companies have
> used similar targeted approaches in marketing for years- why is it a
> problem for elections?
>
> Internet companies through algorithms have thrived on giving you more
> of what you 'want'. People should learn to conduct due diligence.
>
> (c) Should internet intermediaries filter Fake News from their platforms?
>
> Nope. That will amount to policing the internet
>
> (d) Should Fake News be banned?
>
> No. Suggestions have been made world over on the ideal remedy for this
> menace but in democracies, it is hard because it goes against the
> principles of free speech. The Canadian Supreme Court has held in a
> case to strike down a false news provision of law that the provision
> was contrary to the constitutional freedom of expression.
>
> “The reality is that when the matter is one on which the majority of
> the public has settled views, opinions may, for all practical
> purposes, be treated as an expression of a ‘false fact,” the Learned
> Justices of the Court said.
>
> In Kenya, the law limits the right to freedom of expression to the
> extent that one is not allowed to spread propaganda for war, incite
> people to violence, hate speech and advocate for ethnic hate. These
> limitations also apply to the media according to Article 34. The same
> constitutional provision also provides for the establishment of the
> Media Council of Kenya.
>
> One of the roles the drafters of the Constitution envisioned this body
> to play is setting media standards while regulating and monitoring
> their compliance. It is with this powers that are expounded on in the
> Media Act that the Council accredits journalists while requiring them
> to follow the Code of Conduct for the Practice of Journalism. While
> the standards on accuracy, integrity and accountability apply to
> journalists; these standards do not apply to bloggers.
>
> Hence they cannot be held to have breached the Code when they post
> fake news online. From the angle of defamation laws, some of these
> stories are not defamatory. Neither do they constitute a breach of
> Article 33(2). For example the many speeches attributed to Presidents
> Robert Mugabe and Donald Trump about Kenyans and corruption. If they
> were to be counter checked against the elements of defamation, they
> will fail. The statement might be false but not damaging per se, hence
> not warranting a suit for damages.
>
> Some of the sites are not even within the Kenyan jurisdiction and no
> claim of damage may be sustained against them
>
>
> http://monyango.com/index.php/2017/05/15/fake-news-the-battle-for-clicks/
>
>
> On 28/06/2017, gertrude matata via kictanet
> <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> > Thanks Grace,
> > I  confess I  miss reading everything, I must have missed your  post
> earlier
> > on sorry.
> > Your comments were very valid.
> > Regards
> > GERTRUDE MATATA CO. ADVOCATES
> > COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS NOTARY PUBLIC
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> >
> >       From: Grace Mutung'u <nmutungu at gmail.com>
> >  To: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>;
> > gertrude matata <gertrudematata at yahoo.com>
> >  Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 11:46 AM
> >  Subject: Re: [kictanet] PRE KIGF ONLINE DISCUSSIONS DAY 2- FAKE NEWS
> DURING
> > ELECTIONEERING
> >
> > Getrude,Reposting my comment that was on another thread.
> > Good morning Kanini,
> > I will attempt the first question:
> > Maybe we could first start by defining or describing "fake news" in our
> > context. There is a lot of disinformation and even media manipulation
> that
> > can be traced back to political actors.
> > In my view some of the characteristics of this manipulation include
> messages
> > crafted sensationally to provoke emotional responses. Another class is
> > messages casually/reckless condemning an entire tribe- it is impressive
> how
> > much this kind has reduced over the years especially among major online
> > spaces.
> > Disinformation is carried out by both sides of the political divide. It
> > could be tackled through political accountability mecahnisms such as the
> > guidelines on bulk messaging in the last elections. I wonder whether it's
> > practical to update them for Internet messaging.
> > Beyond that, fake news during elections can also be managed by old school
> > credible news. More trusted media outlets must more than ever before
> invest
> > in good journalism. On that note, kudos to Ngirachu of Nation for his new
> > segment demystifying fake news of each week.
> > Best,
> >
> > On 28 Jun 2017 04:36, "gertrude matata via kictanet"
> > <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Members,
> > This is indeed a very interesting  discussion.I was wondering, could we
> have
> > a working definition of  FAKE NEWS.
> > In addition, what is the fake news test to apply even for those who wish
> to
> >  kill it
> > Kind Regards
> >
> >  Gertrude.
> >
> >
> > GERTRUDE MATATA CO. ADVOCATES
> > COMMISSIONERS FOR OATHS NOTARY PUBLIC
> > HILLSIDE APARTMENTS
> > 4TH FLOOR, Apartments 11
> > RAGATI ROAD,Opposite N.H.I.F
> > NEAR CAPITOL HILL POLICE STATION
> > P.O. Box 517-00517
> > Nairobi
> > Mobile:0722-374109/0729- 556523,
> > Wireless 020-2159837
> > DISCLAIMER
> > This email and any attachments to it may be confidential and are intended
> > solely for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. Any views
> or
> > opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
> > represent those of GERTRUDE MATATA & CO. ADVOCATES.
> >  If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you must neither
> take
> > any action based upon its contents, nor copy or show it to anyone.
> >  Please contact the sender if you believe you have received this email in
> > error.
> >
> >
> > CallSend SMSCall from mobileAdd to SkypeYou'll need Skype CreditFree via
> > Skype
> >
> >       From: Diacen Ndiaga via kictanet <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke >
> >  To: gertrudematata at yahoo.com
> > Cc: Diacen Ndiaga <dndiaga at kcaa.or.ke>
> >  Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 9:11 AM
> >  Subject: Re: [kictanet] PRE KIGF ONLINE DISCUSSIONS DAY 2- FAKE NEWS
> DURING
> > ELECTIONEERING
> >
> > Morning listers!
> > Indeed fake news and skewed reportage by main media outlets is already
> with
> > us.Editorial policy of some houses is outright scandalous.In this time of
> > election where perception of voters is critical, fake news will come in
> > droves and due to compromises and skewed editorial policy by media
> houses on
> > issues, agenda setting is purposed on set goals.It is worse when the main
> > media depend on social media for its news items and worse when it uses
> > social media content to reinforce a particular opinion and stand on an
> > issue.When the media is sold to the highest bidder in a political
> > environment or is compromised in being factual and balanced in its
> > reportage,then it looses the moral ground to point out ills in the
> society.
> > Note fake News is NEWS.
> >
> >
> > From: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke >
> > To: "Diacen Ndiaga" <dndiaga at kcaa.or.ke>
> > Cc: "kanini mutemi" <kaninimutemi at gmail.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 6:59:06 AM
> > Subject: [kictanet] PRE KIGF ONLINE DISCUSSIONS DAY 2- FAKE NEWS DURING
> > ELECTIONEERING
> >
> > Good morning Listers,
> > Welcome to Day 2 of the Pre KIGF Online Discussions. Joy Mala and I will
> > co-moderate this session. We look forward to a vibrant discussion on Fake
> > News especially during the electioneering period.
> > We would like to hear your perspectives on:
> > (a)Is Fake News a problem for Kenya?
> > (b) Companies such as Cambridge Analytica have been said to use
> > pyschographic techniques such as voter profiling during elections to
> > determine who gets to hear what message. Advertising companies have used
> > similar targeted approaches in marketing for years- why is it a problem
> for
> > elections?
> > (c) Should internet intermediaries filter Fake News from their platforms?
> > (d) Should Fake News be banned?
> > The discussion is open.
> > --
> > Mercy Mutemi, Advocate.
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
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> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for
> > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
> > development.
> >
> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
> bandwidth,
> > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________ _________________
> > kictanet mailing list
> > kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
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> > Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/
> > mailman/options/kictanet/ nmutungu%40gmail.com
> >
> > The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for
> > people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> > regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> > sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and
> > development.
> >
> > KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> > online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and
> bandwidth,
> > share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> > not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Francis Monyango
>
> Lawyer | ICT Policy and Legal Consultant
> www.monyango.com
> 0726792792
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
> Unsubscribe or change your options at https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/
> mailman/options/kictanet/kaninimutemi%40gmail.com
>
> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform
> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and
> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT
> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and development.
>
> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors
> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth,
> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do
> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
>

-- 
*Mercy Mutemi, Advocate*.
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