Facebook to fight coronavirus fake news in Nigeria

Facebook has said it is running a fact-checking pilot in Nigeria to help stop the spread of fake news about coronavirus.

The social media giant says it will use its messaging app - WhatsApp - to help researchers gather misinformation and respond with accurate information.

It will also provide banner adverts to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to be used for coronavirus education campaigns on Facebook in Nigeria.

Fact-checking organisation AfricaCheck will be checking and debunking false claims made in local languages including Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

These are part of measures the tech giant has put in place with some African governments to help stop inaccurate stories doing the rounds on its platforms, which also includes Instagram.

Other measures include prohibiting advertisements for products that imply they can cure or prevent coronavirus infections and a temporary ban advertisements selling medical face masks.