CDD Disinformation Weekly takes a closer look at the spread of fake news. The Centre continued to sort fiction from facts. As the world faces information disorder, staying connected with CDD fact checks brings you informed opinion on important issues, from government to politics, to healthcare and development.
This week, the Centre spotted the spread of disinformation on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, in addition to transfer of videos offline with the aid of Bluetooth and Xender.
Effort by Twitter to mark some content on its platforms as possible disinformation received our commendable attention. OF particular mention was the United States of America’s presidential election 2020. Unverified contents were marked with a warning signal.
Worthy of note this week, is how disinformation spread at the community level – local markets, churches, mosques and social gathering by word of mouth. The damage done by the spread of disinformation cannot be overemphasized because sometimes these false narratives degenerate to hate speeches. In other cases, it could turn an already volatile situation to a violent case and can cause harm or death to the people.
Fact Checks for the Week
Has Rahma Sadau Been Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy?
On Tuesday, November 10, 2020 fact-checkers at the Centre for Democracy and Development spotted a claim reported by several online platforms that northern actress, Rahma Sadau has been sentenced death for blasphemy.
The news reports claimed that the alleged sentencing followed Rahma’s photoshoot outfit which drew controversy in the north and among Muslims in the region.
Read more Has Rahma Sadau Been Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy?
Former Bauchi Governor Not Appointed Acting INEC National Chairman
On Friday November 13, 2020 fact-checkers at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) spotted a story shared WhatsApp groups with the claim that a former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Mu’azu has been appointed the new national chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The story published by CityNews had the picture of Mu’azu with the caption: BREAKING: Ahmed Mu’azu now acting INEC chairman.
Read more Former Bauchi Governor Not Appointed Acting INEC National Chairman
News on Disinformation from Centre for Democracy and Development
CDD Trains 24 Members of Africa Young Female Advisers Initiative on Social Media for Good Governance Read more
False news from around the web
Below are some suspicious information on the internet which fact-check reports were not written for:
MTN GIFT
Check if Your number has been chosen by MTN to receive ₦15000
As Party of customer REWARD Program For
Who have been using MTN for more than three months
MTN USERS ONLY
Deadline: 2020-12-9
Click http://bit.ly/MTN_GIFT
The Government has not approved a new salary for the Nigeria Police.
There are no evidence to prove that the Nigerian Government has approved a new salary scale for the Nigerian Police Force.
First, the alleged increment was not captured in the budget for the year. The Police has also come out to day the news is false.
THE FAKE AND THE FACT
Yes, there is a vaccine on the way
In the last week we have read positive news about the efficacy of the Pfzier/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 and today about Moderna’s.
Unlike conventional vaccines, which are produced using weakened forms of the virus, both are mRNA vaccines, which trick the body into producing some of the viral proteins itself.
COVID 19 Does Not Go Away?
There is increasing evidence that a significant number of people who become infected with COVID-19 continue to have debilitating symptoms for months. The condition, known as “long COVID”, can affect many parts of the body, and can include symptoms ranging from fatigue, a cough, shortness of breath, inflammation and injury to major organs, and neurological and psychological effects. And it can impact anyone, including young healthy people.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke to three survivors and called for governments to take action to support those suffering from long COVID. Share Verified
CDD is urging Nigerians to always verify the authenticity of stories before sharing them.
You can forward suspicious messages for verification via +2349062910568 or contact us on twitter @CDDWestAfrica
#StopFakeNews #StopDisinformation
Center for Democracy and Development West Africa| CDD West Africa