Platform set-up to curb fake news during Covid-19 outbreak

GOVERNMENT has set-up a hi-tech monitoring and evaluation platform in an effort to ramp up state capacity to monitor and respond to misinformation and fake news proliferating during the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a statement, acting communication minister Jackson Mthembu said the intervention is being put in place to assess complaints and reports from the media, the public and other sectors of society.

The platform has the ability to take down fake news items on a range of platforms and submit cases to the SAPS for investigation and prosecution.

This solution is a unique collaboration between the Department, the Government Communication and Information System, Media Monitoring Africa and the COVIDComms volunteer communication network.

In other Covid-19 news: Evictions suspended during lockdown period, Sisulu reiterates

“It forms part of the work of a special Ministerial Task Team established by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, which also includes representatives from ICASA, Film and Publications Board, ZADna, mobile phone companies and other key players in the ICT sector, including platform owners,” read the statement.

The Ministry said once fake news items or social media posts have been identified, platform owners are notified to bring down the posts.

“Electronic Communications Services Licensees, including over-the-top media service providers and internet service providers that are in the service of providing  linear and non-linear services, will then have the responsibility to remove fake news from their platforms with immediate effect,” the Ministry said.

Also read: Tread lightly, Covid-19 is 10 times more deadly than Swine flu, says WHO

Complaints can be channeled through the Real411 website: www.real411.org or the Whatsapp line: 067 966 4015.

“We are stepping up our campaign against digital misinformation, particularly in relation to COVID-19 and related actions such as the national lockdown,” said Mthembu.

He reminded the public that the spreading of fake news or disinformation about COVID-19 is a punishable offence.

*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.  

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.