This article has Swahili translation for wider dissemination.
The ongoing protests in Kenya have ignited important conversations, but they’ve also created fertile ground for the spread of misinformation and disinformation online.
Maandamano yanayoendelea nchini Kenya yamechochea mazungumzo muhimu, lakini pia yameunda ardhi yenye rutuba kwa kuenea kwa taarifa potofu na propaganda mtandaoni.
While both terms sound similar, there’s a key difference. Misinformation is false or inaccurate information spread unintentionally, often due to a lack of verification, while Disinformation is false or misleading information deliberately created and spread to deceive people. The difference therefore, is in the intention.
Ingawa maneno yote mawili yanafanana, kuna tofauti muhimu. Taarifa potofu ni habari ya uwongo au isiyo sahihi ambayo huenezwa bila kukusudia, mara nyingi kutokana na ukosefu wa uthibitisho. Propaganda ni habari ya uwongo au ya kupotosha iliyoundwa na kuenezwa kwa makusudi ili kuwadanganya watu. Tofauti, kwa hivyo, iko katika nia.
Both however, can have serious consequences including eroding trust in institutions, fueling social division, and even inciting violence. So, how can you be a discerning digital citizen and avoid falling prey to these tactics during the Kenyan protests? Here are some tips.
Hata hivyo, vyote vinaweza kuwa na athari mbaya ikiwa ni pamoja na kuondoa uaminifu katika taasisi, kuchochea mgawanyiko wa kijamii, na hata kuchochea vurugu. Kwa hivyo, unaweza vipi kuwa mshiriki makini wa kidijitali na kuepuka kuathiriwa na mbinu hizi wakati wa maandamano ya Kenya? Hapa kuna vidokeo.
Be Skeptical (Kuwa Na Shaka)
Don’t believe everything you read online about the protests at first glance. Ask yourself the following questions.
Usisadiki kila kitu unachosoma mtandaoni kuhusu maandamano mara ya kwanza. Jiulize maswali yafuatayo.
- Who is the source? Is it a reputable news organization, a personal blog, or an anonymous account? Research the source’s credibility in covering Kenyan issues.
- What is the evidence? Are claims about the protests backed up by facts and data from reliable sources like media or independent human rights organisations? Be wary of emotional appeals or sensational headlines devoid of evidence.
- Is it biased? Does the information lean heavily towards one side of the protest narrative? Seek out diverse perspectives from Kenyan journalists and activists for a more balanced view.
- Ni nani chanzo? Je, ni shirika la habari linaloaminika, blogu ya kibinafsi, au akaunti isiyojulikana? Tafiti uaminifu wa chanzo katika kuripoti masuala ya Kenya.
- Ushahidi ni upi? Je, madai kuhusu maandamano yanaungwa mkono na ukweli na data kutoka kwa vyanzo vya kuaminika kama vile vyombo vya habari au mashirika huru ya haki za binadamu? Ogopa rufaa za kihisia au vichwa vya habari vya kuvutia visivyo na ushahidi.
- Je, ni upendeleo? Habari hiyo huelekea sana upande mmoja wa simulizi ya maandamano? Tafuta mitazamo mbalimbali kutoka kwa waandishi wa habari wa Kenya na wanaharakati kwa mtazamo wenye mwelekeo zaidi.
Check the Facts (Thibitisha Ukweli)
Use fact-checking websites like Africa Check or even the fact-checking arms of established Kenyan media outlets to verify information, especially claims that seem too good (or bad) to be true about the protests. Be advised however, that the media is not immune to misinformation and disinformation so double-check everything across various outlets, including international ones.
Tumia tovuti za kuthibitisha ukweli kama vile Africa Check au hata sehemu za uhakiki wa ukweli za vyombo vya habari vya Kenya vilivyoanzishwa ili kuthibitisha taarifa, haswa madai ambayo yanaonekana kuwa mazuri (au mabaya) kuwa kweli kuhusu maandamano. Hata hivyo, fahamu kuwa vyombo vya habari sio kinga dhidi ya taarifa potofu na propaganda kwa hivyo thibitisha kila kitu katika vituo mbalimbali, pamoja na vya kimataifa.
Look for Red Flags (Tafuta Ishara za Onyo)
Be on the lookout for common tactics used to spread misinformation and disinformation including:
- Sensational headlines: Designed to grab attention and trigger emotional responses about the protests.
- Loaded language: Using inflammatory or biased language to sway opinion on the protests.
- Misleading visuals: Images or videos taken out of context or manipulated to support a false narrative about the protests.
- Logical fallacies: Using faulty reasoning to make a claim about the protests seem valid.
Kuwa mwangalifu na mbinu za kawaida zinazotumiwa kueneza taarifa potofu na propaganda ikiwa ni pamoja na:
- Vichwa vya habari vya kuvutia: Vimeundwa kuvutia umakini na kuchochea majibu ya kihisia kuhusu maandamano.
- Lugha yenye mwelekeo: Kutumia lugha ya uchochezi au upendeleo kupotosha maoni kuhusu maandamano.
- Visuali potofu: Picha au video zilizochukuliwa nje ya muktadha au kuchezwa ili kuunga mkono simulizi ya uwongo kuhusu maandamano.
- Makosa ya kimantiki: Kutumia hoja potofu kufanya dai kuhusu maandamano lionekane kuwa halali.
Be a Responsible Poster and Sharer (Shiriki kwa Uwajibikaji)
Before sharing a post about the protests, verify the information and consider its potential impact on the movement. If you’re unsure about something related to the protests, it’s okay not to share it.
Kabla ya kushiriki chapisho kuhusu maandamano, thibitisha taarifa na uzingatie athari zake zinazowezekana kwenye harakati. Ikiwa huna uhakika kuhusu kitu kinachohusiana na maandamano, sio mbaya kutokishiriki.
Be Wary of Social Media Algorithms (Kuwa Mwangalifu na Algorithms za Mitandao ya Kijamii)
Social media platforms often prioritise content that gets the most reactions, regardless of its accuracy. This can create echo chambers where users are only exposed to information that confirms their existing beliefs about the protests. So go outside your echo chamber to get more information.
Jukwaa za mitandao ya kijamii mara nyingi hutoa kipaumbele kwa yaliyomo ambayo yanapata athari nyingi, bila kujali usahihi wake. Hii inaweza kuunda vyumba vya mwangwi ambapo watumiaji wanaonyeshwa tu habari ambayo inathibitisha imani zao zilizopo kuhusu maandamano. Kwa hivyo toka nje ya chumba chako cha mwangwi kupata habari zaidi.
By following these tips and becoming a more critical consumer of information online, you can help to fight the spread of misinformation and disinformation during the Kenyan protests, and contribute to a more informed and constructive online environment.
Kwa kufuata vidokeo hivi na kuwa mtumiaji makini zaidi wa habari mtandaoni, unaweza kusaidia kupambana na kuenea kwa taarifa potofu na propaganda wakati wa maandamano ya Kenya, na kuchangia katika mazingira ya mtandao yenye taarifa na mjenzi.
