This archive report was first published on 20 November 2019.
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on social media, the spread of fake news and propaganda poses a significant threat to democracy and peace worldwide.
Facebook's removal of hundreds of accounts, pages, and groups in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia last month highlights the extent of the problem.
Malicious content, prevalent in countries with deep religious and tribal divisions, is created to emotionally stir hatred and rally for action against the other side of the division.
Kenya, with its polarising politics, is not immune to this trend. The use of social media was not as virulent during the post-election violence of 2007/2008, but the current online landscape is more volatile.
Political temperatures are already rising online, with the online community angry and restless. The world of social media was not made for appreciating and applauding, and there is a callous current underneath the keyboard that often sweeps users towards criticism and scepticism.
Online mercenaries, hired by politicians, profusely attack views that are unfavourable to their masters. Maliciously manipulated images and stories tend to target mainstream media, and institutions that undertake performance ratings are often mimicked through fake websites.
The creators of fake content will always try to find ways to legitimise their work. There is a need to regulate and moderate online behaviour, and the Ethiopian government is in the process of enacting a law to combat misinformation and hate speech.
Kenya is also considering legislation on social media, which includes a proposal to hold the administrator of WhatsApp groups responsible for what is posted by members. Enacting new laws for social media and the Internet has been met with resistance, but those opposed to legislation must provide alternative ways to address the problem.
Public awareness and media literacy are crucial in mitigating the impact of social media. The Internet has simple tools for authenticating online literature, and media organisations have started training their staff and creating public awareness on fake news.
Africa Check, an online data verification site, puts claims by politicians to the test by providing existing data. Other institutions, such as the Internet Governance Forum, the German Konrad Adenauer Stiftung foundation, and DW Akademie, support local capacity building initiatives to make the Internet a safe and useful tool.
The government is a key stakeholder in the use of the Internet, and it must invest in building public capacity for online engagement.
