Fake news reporting: Ghana and other African countries rank low

Facebook Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Adaora Ikenze, has indicated that Ghana and other African countries have been ranked low globally due to their inactions to report fake accounts and contents on social media.

According to her, unlike other European or American countries who report fake posts on social media, Africans turn a blind eye against it, hence making them get these low ratings internationally.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the national week celebration of the Cyber Security Awareness Month 2019, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ms Ikenze noted that rather than reporting inappropriate posts or false news, Africans prefer sharing the content.

“Africa has the lowest percentage of reporting on Facebook globally…Africans will see a post that they know is false, they will see a video that they know is insightful but they will not report it but they will forward it.”

However, she noted that in the case of digital literacy and public activities people ought to desist from forwarding inciteful posts and report whenever they come in contact with them.

“When it comes to digital literacy and public education do not forward; report, and immediately you report our system goes into action. If the video or content is one that has borderline in-house, it will be problematic. Immediately it will either be downgraded or removed.”

As part of government’s contribution to creating awareness on cybersecurity, the Communication’s Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful hinted that Ghana would soon criminalise the sharing of inappropriate social media content.

An example of such content includes sexual images and videos, adding that Ghanaians should comply with the domestic laws when passed to avoid being penalized.