The government, through the Ministry of Information, has disclosed its intention to leverage the influence and platforms of social media influencers to combat misinformation and disinformation across the media landscape.
The Information Minister-designate, Fatimatu Abubakar, made the revelation in her welcome address at the 3rd African Media Convention in Accra on Thursday, May 16.
According to her, the government admits that the fight against misinformation cannot be won in isolation, thus the need to collaborate with social media influencers.
She said the government recognises the importance of equipping citizens with skills to navigate the complex digital information landscape.
Also, she revealed that the government has put together a policy document—the National Action Plan—a blueprint for combating misinformation and disinformation at its roots.
“The National Action Plan outlines strategic objectives, including enhancing media literacy among citizens, strengthening fact-checking mechanisms, introducing a structured reporting system for false information, promoting ethical journalism, reviewing existing legislation, and collaborating with technology platforms,” she stated.
“Ladies and gentlemen, beyond the creation of the ghanatoday.gov.gh website, the government also recognises the importance of equipping citizens with skills to navigate the complex digital information landscape.
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“To this end, the government, through the Ministry of Information, implemented media literacy programmes to educate the public on critical thinking, source evaluation, and verification.
“These initiatives aim to empower individuals to discern reliable information from falsehoods. To achieve this aim, social media influencers with a wide-reaching impact on various platforms play a crucial role in amplifying the importance of media literacy.”
According to the Minister-designate, “By leveraging their influence, we aim to reach a broader audience, instilling the values of critical thinking and source verification in the hearts and minds of citizens.”
Furthermore, other initiatives undertaken by the government include a dedicated website—GhanaToday.gov.gh—for information verification, stating that it is “a pioneering initiative in our ongoing battle for truth and clarity.”
“A dedicated team at the Information Services Department (ISD) manages this website, which serves as a fortress against misinformation and a repository of accurate information directly from the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” she added.
About AMC
The Africa Media Convention (AMC) annual conference is a collaborative platform to reflect on the fundamental role of journalism on the continent, celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and deliberate on measures to safeguard media freedoms.
AMC also focuses on promotion of access to information, the safety of journalists and media viability in AU Member States.
This year, the 3rd AMC will be held in Accra, Ghana, from May 15–17, 2024. is organised by the UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office to AU and UNECA, the African Union, and hosted by the Ministry of Information, the Ghana Journalists Association, and various media partners.
The convention promises a deep dive into critical issues facing African media. The stakeholders will collaborate to develop solutions and advocate for policies that foster a free, vibrant, and impactful press across the continent.
The post Gov’t to leverage influence of social media influencers to combat misinformation – Information Minister Designate first appeared on 3News.
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