🌍 Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the UN Africa Check workshop. This event highlighted the crucial need for fact-checking in our rapidly evolving digital world. In an era where information spreads in seconds, distinguishing between truth and falsehood is vital.
🔍 Did you know there's a difference between disinformation and misinformation?
Misinformation is when false information is shared without harmful intent – it's a mistake.
Disinformation, however, is the deliberate spread of false information to deceive.
Both can have serious repercussions, affecting everything from public health to political decisions, and death, like the early 2000's when false information was shared against the polio vaccine. We were on the brink of eradicating polio people! Lives were lost due to that particular piece of disinformation. Relationships can also be affected if you're a particularly bitter individual that tend to take simple words out of context to justify victim-like, conflict driven behaviour.
The workshop reinforced how easily false information can create real-world impacts. It's a reminder for all of us to pause and verify before sharing. As responsible netizens, it's up to us to curb the spread of falsehoods.
📢 Let's commit to being more critical of the information we encounter and share. It's not just about fact-checking; it's about protecting the fabric of our society. Together, we can make a difference!
#FactCheck #InformationLiteracy #UNAfricaCheck