insert_link Interview Transcripts INTERVIEW: Digital Expert Nrupesh Soni on Influencers and Elections Nov 20, 2024, 8:45 AM In an age where digital platforms dominate, influencers and content creators are emerging as critical players in shaping political discourse, especially among younger voters. Digital expert Nrupesh Soni recently shared his insights into this growing phenomenon, particularly its impact on elections in Namibia. Soni highlighted a notable shift in how young people consume information. "The way information is consumed currently by most of the youth […] todayNovember 20, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa Grade 12 learners in S.A miss Computer Applications Technology exam due to power outages Around 400 Grade 12 learners in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, missed their Computer Applications Technology exam due to power outages caused by severe storms and flooding. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube assured the public that contingency plans, including backup papers, are in place with support from Umalusi to ensure exams proceed smoothly. Meanwhile, the Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier urges the public not to share fake news, as it […] todayOctober 23, 2024 54
insert_link Uncategorized Political analyst warns of tense political climate in Namibia With Namibia preparing for elections on 27 November 2024, we contacted political analyst Prof. Dr. Henning Melber, a Senior Research Associate at the Nordic Africa Institute in Sweden, for his opinion on the country's current political climate. Prof. Melber describes the political atmosphere as highly competitive and tense, noting an increase in inappropriate tactics and the spread of fake news. He highlights that the electorate faces appeals to prejudices and […] todayAugust 6, 2024 52
insert_link South Africa Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned the media and the public against the spread of fake news Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned the media and the public against the spread of fake news, including playing politics in the wake of the five-story George building collapse. He emphasised the need to focus on the rescue efforts, with 47 people still trapped under the rubble and six confirmed dead. Winde condemns the reports of misinformation, including false claims about the number of casualties: todayMay 8, 2024 91
insert_link Lifestyle Disinformation is often blamed for swaying elections – the research says something else Alexandru Nika/Shutterstock Magda Osman, Cambridge Judge Business School Many countries face general elections this year. Political campaigning will include misleading and even false information. Just days ago, it was reported that a robocall impersonating US president Joe Biden had told recipients not to vote in the presidential primary. But can disinformation significantly influence voting? There are two typical styles of election campaigning. One is positive, presenting favourable attributes of politicians […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 13
insert_link Lifestyle Move away from Google if you want to avoid fake news By F.D. Flam via BizNews Searching for information has become instant and effortless — just go to your nearest device, ask Siri or click a few keys. But are we better informed than we were before Google became a verb? A new paper published in Nature hints that we’re not. When researchers exposed volunteers to a mix of fake and real news stories, they found people became more prone to being fooled by […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 16
insert_link Opinion Pieces Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds There are some practical ways to filter the amount of violent and graphic content you see on social media. Megan Knight, University of Hertfordshire Social media platforms are a great source of information and entertainment. They also help us to maintain contact with friends and family. But social media can also – and has, often – become a toxic environment for spreading disinformation, hatred and conflict. Most people can’t or […] todayNovember 3, 2023 8