INTERVIEW: Digital Expert Nrupesh Soni on Influencers and Elections

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 […]

November 20, 2024 6

Nam Elections 2024

UNESCO Survey Indicates Two-Thirds of Influencers Skip Content Verification

A new UNESCO survey shows that two-thirds of influencers do not verify the accuracy of content before sharing it. This finding is part of the organization's groundbreaking study, set to be revealed at a press conference on Tuesday. In its first-ever global survey, UNESCO has collected data from content creators in 45 countries, shedding light on their practices and the ethical dilemmas they encounter. Digital Media Expert Nrupesh Soni:

November 20, 2024 8

Namibia

NAMPA Denies Political Influence in Decision-Making Process

The Namibia Press Agency has responded to allegations by Dr. Job Shipululo Amupanda, who claimed that the Agency’s decision to revoke the secondment of Mr. Confidence Musariri to New Era Publication Corporation was politically motivated. In a press release, NAMPA’s Board reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, stating that the decision was based purely on merit and evidence, with no political interference. NAMPA emphasized its dedication to transparency, integrity, and maintaining […]

November 18, 2024 8

World

Social Media Platform Sees Surge in Users After US Election Amid Complaints About ‘X’

A social media platform seen as an alternative to 'X' is experiencing a surge in new users following the US election. It comes after widespread complaints from users of the app, formerly known as Twitter, about misinformation on the platform as well as upcoming changes to its terms and conditions. Mitch McCann reports:

November 18, 2024 10

Opinion Pieces

Russia-Africa Partnership Under Scrutiny: Draft Joint Statement Of On-going Forum Sparks Concerns Over Neocolonialism and Deceit

By Khwima Nkhonjera The first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum has kicked off in Sochi, Russia, amid headlines about the gathering not just being about strengthening bilateral ties. A joint statement drafted for the summit has raised eyebrows, with claims of cooperation which pro-democracy supporters argue are “misleading” or “downright false.” This two-day gathering, organised by Roscongress Foundation, seeks to implement decisions made at the 2023 summit […]

November 12, 2024 16

Opinion Pieces

Curating data for political purposes: NSA credibility destroyed.

Rowland Brown Opinion On the 30th of October, the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) released the 2023 Census report, around a year after the data collection for the same was completed. However, despite collecting labour force data and employment/unemployment data, in a turn of events more worthy of North Korea than Namibia, this was excluded from the report, a notable change to previous Census reports. This means that the latest official […]

November 1, 2024 10

Opinion Pieces

Social media: Disinformation expert offers 3 safety tips in a time of fake news and dodgy influencers

Boniface Muthoni/SOPA Images/LightRocke By Fabrice Lollia, Université Gustave Eiffel Social networks have revolutionised the way we communicate, stay informed and share moments of our daily lives. We use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok to keep in touch with our friends and family, share our experiences, keep informed, and express our opinions. But beyond these personal and often superficial uses, social networks play a much more complex […]

August 9, 2024 16

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 […]

August 6, 2024 52

Africa

AI can make African elections more efficient – but trust must be built and proper rules put in place

Election officials confirm a voter’s biometric details during Kenya’s 2022 elections. James Wakibia/SOPA Images/LightRocket By Shamira Ahmed, European University Institute and Mehari Taddele Maru, European University Institute Time magazine has dubbed 2024 a “super election year”. An astonishing 4 billion people are eligible to vote in countries across the world this year. Many are on the African continent, where presidential, parliamentary and general elections have already […]

June 18, 2024 19