[kictanet] Coronavirus: Kenya’s first digital pandemic!

[Grace Githaiga]

Listers


On February 2, the World Health Organization dubbed the new coronavirus an
"infodemic", referring to “an overabundance of information (some accurate
and some not).


Misinformation about Covid-19 is as dangerous as the virus itself. Real
human life is at stake and Kenya’s internet is swamped with hysteria and
falsehood.


Since the virus took hold of the mainstream narrative in Kenya, we have
begun observing trends in misinformation in Kenya’s cyberspace. The same
notorious Facebook groups, Twitter handles and websites that bring about
political misinformation are key conduits of coronavirus misinformation.


Google’s AdSense advertising is being used to fund the production of
coronavirus misinformation, and at the same time to push scams to Kenyan
citizens through the same misinformation.


Misinformation promises answers and explanations that Kenyans desperately
want, but can’t find through normal, factual means.


For more, please read:
https://www.nation.co.ke/nationprime/coronavirus-kenya-fake-news/5279428-5502642-13t4u75/index.html


Rgds

GG
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