How to detect fake news and what can you do to get accurate information on the Covid-19 in South Africa?

What is Fake News?

Fake news is information that was not verified, has no valid sources, has no author’s name or publications name, has no useful information, but is aimed at causing panic and confusion to the society, unethical, and possibly is untrue.

Types of fake news?

False and exaggerated headlines.

Headlines are meant to attract the reader’s attention and to summarise the news story. Most of fake news headlines are mocking, longer than normal news headlines, fake names, false statements, fake quotes, and the headline is completely different from the body of the story.

Deliberate misinformation

This type of fake news is aimed at a group of people in the society which has little knowledge about a particular topic. It has false comments, false names, false publication’s name, news source has no balance, inaccurate information, and is misleading.

Social media sharing

Media is able to share a large number of news in a short space of time, in the context of fake news, readers do not research or verify the news source before sharing it to groups, sites, pages, or timelines. Just because news is shared worldwide does not mean it is true. Always verify and check for facts before sharing a news report.

Viral Pranks

Usually pranks and jokes are now turned into fake news headlines to get more likes and shares. The readers do not hesitate to share a news headline that comes around as funny, appealing, and mocking. This is because rumours travel faster than truth. It applies to news as well. Always check the purpose of the news source, as well as the credibility of the article, the agenda of the article, and ask if it newsworthy.

These are critical times for the world and people are sharing information on the Covid-19 more than ever. The virus has spread worldwide and people need answers on every question they have and that gives some people the opportunity to create fake news, rumours, propaganda, crime, and misinform the public.

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What can you do to check the validity of the news?

Check the name of the publication and research about it if it exists.

Check for the author’s name. Pay attention to quality and timelines. Check the sources and citations. Visit facts checking websites.

Check if the news source is meant to inform or to mock and cause a stir among people.

Read other news outlets to see if there is any related story to that especially if it is international or national news.

Do not always rely on shared news. Rather you visit news websites, radio, television news channels, and credibility of the publication, related stories, and newspapers.

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National Health department launch WhatsApp bot amid the spread of Covid-19 fake news

Due to a lot of false information about Covid-19 doing the rounds on social media platforms, the government has launched an informative WhatsApp bot, a software application that runs automated tasks (scripts) over the internet to stay updated on the novel Coronavirus.

The public is advised to make use of the tool to receive correct information, which is also up to date information from the South African National Department of Health service available on WhatsApp with just a click on this link https://wa.me/27600123456?/text=hi

Thereafter, send the ‘hi’ message to start receiving updates.

Alternatively, you can save the number +27 600 123456 and send ‘hi.’ The bot is not a WhatsApp group and will not be regarded as spam as it provides you with correct factual information using an interactive menu. The service provides the official and up to date information on the status of Covid-19 in South Africa.

Some of the information provided on the interactive menu includes News, Myths, About, Prevention, Symptoms, Treatment, Risks, Travel, and Testing and also how to share this service.