Dear Listers, On combating fake news: I have just come across an ad titled "Fight Fake News". When I clicked, it took me to this interesting website. "Hostwriter is a global network for media professionals. We connect journalists to easily seek and offer help, whether in the form of story collaboration, local advice or even accommodation. All journalists provide work samples by way of professional verification. Membership is free of charge." Could a Kenyan version of this help in combating fake news? On Saturday, August 19, 2017, kanini mutemi via kictanet < kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Good afternoon Listers,
Thank you for participating in Day 2 of Talk to NCIC. Once again, very good and thought provoking contributions. Just a quick summary of the discussions:
*On (a): What is the effect of Fake News to the mainstream media?*
Fake News affects the credibility of mainstream media.
*On (b): What is the role of the Kenyan media in combating Fake News?* Mainstream media already has a platform from which they ought to educate the public on Fake News while propagating the truth. The media should always fact-check stories posted by others and be quick to call out Fake News. To avoid further denting their credibility, mainstream media should be careful to only post that which is legitimate. Since Kenyan still trust mainstream media as a legitimate source of information, they must uphold this fiduciary duty.
There was a proposal for a quick fact-checking tool which people can use to ascertain the veracity of a story before sharing it.
*On (c): Is the Kenyan media doing enough? *Initiatives such as Newsplex and the fact-checking segment on NTV demonstrate that the media is fighting back against Fake News. We were also informed of the global search for enterprising solutions by the International Centre for Journalists (ICJF) @Churchill please keep us updated on this.
There was a feeling, however, that these efforts are not enough- more needs to be done.
*On (d): What should platforms such as Facebook and Google be doing to reduce the effect of Fake News? Is there a need for localised solutions?*
Initiatives by Google and Facebook were lauded. @Fadzai pointed out some of the work being done by Facebook eg the in-app educational tool, and efforts to make Fake News less profitable. Local efforts by PesaCheck and AfricaCheck were highlighted as examples to emulate.
If you have anything to add, feel free. This is not the end of the conversation. -- *Mercy Mutemi*.
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