#CommunicationInsight Page 1 (12/9/2019)

Smart ways of dealing with Disinformation & Misinformation in Nigeria

#CommunicationInsight Page 1 (12/9/2019) Smart ways of dealing with Disinformation & Misinformation in Nigeria

By Obinna Chukwuezie

Disinformation and Misinformation sound same, right? Although they are both information, however they are not exactly the same. I'll show you their similarities and differences:

What makes them the same is that they are information. Secondly, they are both are untrue, incorrect, misleading, false or inaccurate!

Another thing that both words share in common is that they are meant to influence opinion or obscure the truth. Finally, they are both 'nouns.'

However, the major difference between the two lies in intent. Whereas Disinformation carries with it a deliberate intent, Misinformation is not deliberate.

In the former, the purveyor of the information knows its a false information, and deliberately put it out there, sometimes covertly, as if its true.

In the latter case, the purveyor do not know that the information shared is false, and boldly put it out. Those who belong to the latter are those ''copy and paste'' or those who like to use #Copied and are fond of sharing whatever they see. Unfortunately, they are in the majority. Sadly, disinformation spreads faster. One platforms that has help greatly in spreading disinformation is WhatsApp groups. Disinformation comes in texts, videos, photos, graphics, and many other forms.

You can reduce the risk of misinforming people when you make an attempt to verify information from those whom you respect their opinion, or websites or social media platforms, before you share.

If you do not verify information or apply critical reasoning and put it out there, you no longer have power over it. Overtime, you build a reputation of a misinformer, which is a negative trait.

In Nigeria, we are beginning to see highly organised disinformation campaign against specific people or group. Many have been recruited in the campaign, unconsciously. Some call it propaganda. Some profit from it! Some are naturally gifted in it. Whatever, they put out, has elements of disinformation. When you stay too long with such persons or their posts, you're likely to be influenced.

There another category of those who are specialists in disinforming people about other people. Sometimes, they call it gossip. Its in their DNA, after staying with such people, your mind is poisoned towards other people. Yet you do not make attempt to verify if what you heard was true.

Make conscious effort not to be known for disinformation or misinformation. Let people know you to a person who gives out accurate, true and credible information. On the other, make conscious effort to verify what you hear, read, watch, listen before you make your conclusions. Interestingly, there are simple tools to verify photos, videos, gossips, and all other disinformation. Some of us know them, but we have chosen to be gullible or lazy to make verification. If the information is about two people, hear from both parties. If its about one person, there are different angles to a story. Get all the sides.

By applying the advices provided here, we can all reduce the rampaging spread of fake news which further divides us and sow seed of bitterness.

Chukwuezie is a #ComDev practitioner based in Jos, Nigeria. He can be reached via Twitter @obinnachukwuzie or email: obinnachukwuezie@gmail.com

#FigureItOutWithObinna

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