The War against Fake News and Mass Hysteria: Why Media Literacy Is Important

If you are alive then you have encountered some form of media or another. In fact, if you have access to the internet (which according to Internet World Stats is about 89.7% of Kenyans), then you have encountered digital media. Many of us use the media for information, for connection and just for laughs. But in the age of clout-chasers and fake news, how can we, as youth, be more responsible in our media use and production? The answer to that is Media Literacy.

According to the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Media Literacy aims to empower citizens by providing them with the competencies (knowledge, skills and attitude) necessary to engage with traditional and digital media. Simply put, it is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms (Centre for Media Literacy). This is very important in the current world we live in – from political changes to societal upheaval, the world is shifting fast and how we interact with it, via media, needs to change too.

There was a time that media was simply your community; smoke signals, trumpets and horns, messengers etc. Media then grew as the world opened up to new technology and communities were invaded by foreigners to include newspapers and radio and pretty soon television. The more humans conquered the world, the more information spread and the need for more information grew. We needed to know what was happening, not just to our neighbors, but to other towns, cities, counties, countries and continents. The digital age brought the information revolution as we entered the twenty first millennia. 

If you are a producer of media (YouTube, TikTok, IGTv, journalist etc) then remember that your role is to tell the truth; unbiased and objective truth, not your truth. The consumers have a right to form their own opinions and take action as they see fit, that is the beauty of the free society that we have in Kenya.

The rule book that had been established a hundred years ago by print media were thrown out the door the minute sites like YouTube, Twitter, WordPress and Google came on board. Anyone could share anything at any time. Suddenly, traditional media had to keep up with the new world that digital media had afforded anyone with an internet connection. Which brings us to today; how are we to relate with media? How can we ensure that we keep the freedoms we and our ancestors so bravely fought for while still sharing only truth? 

“Verify your sources always. Even if major media outlets and major accounts are sharing and reporting something always triple and double check it from other reputable sources to ensure that it is the whole, objective truth and not sensational headlines.”

Media Literacy ensures that you understand the role of the media in our society as well as essential skills of inquiry and self-expressions for citizens in a democracy. This means that you can create, produce, curate, share and consume media in a wiser and more edifying manner. In the past, the media chose what to show you, and it still does, but you also have the power to find the information. 

To simplify the rules of media literacy, Steve Burger, Vice President of Digital and Radio at WNI, gives one summary: CONTENT IS KING!

So when consuming media:

1. Determine which outlets or accounts are considered reputable as sources for the topic i.e news, health updates, and history of Kenya etc.

2. Check your social media for accounts that have seen or experienced it first hand, especially verified ones.

3. Check government sources or well-known NGOs in the field of interest

4. Check educational sources for background and sources. Don’t just take the word of whoever is saying it but actually research it. Basically, don’t be lazy.

“Remember that even though the digital media space is a free space for open discussion and the exchange of ideas, it can be hijacked, People and organizations with enough money or power can hire influencers to push for certain things to trend. Not everything is as organic as it looks.” Nelson Okwaje, Director of Defy Hate Now.

Before sharing media remember that only funny cat videos, cute baby pictures or dog gifs get passed around without verification. Anything else needs verification and research before you share it through your various social media channels. As of January 2020, there are 8.8 million social media users in Kenya and social media penetration is at 17% based on figures by Data Reportal. The same site says that the number of people around the world using the internet has grown to 4.54 billion with 3.80 billion social media users in January 2020. Also, more than 5.19 billion people now use mobile phones, with user numbers up by 124 million (2.4 percent) over the past year. These figures are staggering and remind you why you as one need to do your due diligence when it comes to creating and sharing true content.  In fact, in the time of Corona Virus, BBI, Locust invasions, political campaigns and gender wars, holding onto information until you verify it is a smart move. It will spare you the heartache and headache of the drama that comes with defending unverified information. It will also ensure you look smarter and who doesn’t want that?

Rachel Okwar, Learning and Communications Officer at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), reminds Kenyan youth that the responsibility of matching meaning to any message falls on them as the consumer of the media. Remember that whatever meaning you attach is based on your experiences, biases, learning, environment and background. Check yourself and your motives before you share something but also, back track and think before you believe anything.

46% of Kenyans say they have been exposed to fake news via television media and 57% via print media. Don’t be an enabler of this pandemic and then whine about how you cannot trust the media or how news is fake news. Take some responsibility and a consumer in what you read/watch and share. So before you tweet something about Ruto or share an article from some blog about men’s or women’s rights or #CoronaVirus on every panic attack, check your facts. Facts matter more than trends or shares.

 “Curb your need to trend or share trending information. Hate crime is higher on social media and is easily aroused by click bait, trends and clout. Be careful not to be a vessel for hate or misinformation that leads to violence against a person or a group of people.” 

Joy Makenah is an intern at The Youth Cafe

Sources:

Kemp. S. ( January 2020). Digital 2020: Global Digital Overview. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-global-digital-overview

Kemp. S. (January 2020). Digital 2020:Kenya. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2020-kenya

Internet World Stats: Kenya(n.d). Retrieved from https://www.internetworldstats.com/af/ke.htm

Share Of Adults Who Have Witnessed Fake News In Print Media Worldwide As Of January 2019, By Country.(n.d). Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1016534/fake-news-print-media-worldwide/

Share Of Adults Who Have Witnessed Fake News On Television Worldwide As Of January 2019, By Country.(n.d). Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1017760/fake-news-television-worldwide/

Kenya National Commission for UNESCO.(n.d).Retrieved from https://unesco.go.ke/