Abstract

While research on misinformation in Africa has increased in recent years, and despite a growing body of theoretical and empirical work that considers the role of governments, platforms, and users in stopping misinformation globally, there is still a lack of empirical research addressing ways to curb its spread on the continent. Research has coalesced around the idea that no single approach will work in all contexts, and effective strategies need to include media literacy, fact-checking, changes in how news is produced and circulated, government oversight, and regulations as well as responses that take local contexts into account. Using data from 36 focus groups in six sub-Saharan African countries, we examine audiences’ experiences with misinformation and perceptions of institutional and personal roles and responsibility for both preventing and intervening in the spread of misinformation. First, we examine perceptions of misinformation with a particular focus on whether misinformation is perceived as “a problem.” Second, we examine perceived responsibility for addressing misinformation and possible solutions to the problem. Findings suggest that participants perceive misinformation as a problem if it has real or potential negative consequences and express a sense of shared responsibility among individuals and institutions for stopping the spread of misinformation.

摘要

尽管近年来对非洲错误信息的研究有所增加，尽管越来越多的理论和实证工作考虑了政府、平台和用户在全球阻止错误信息方面的作用，但仍然缺乏解决如何遏制错误信息的实证研究它在大陆上传播。研究围绕这样一种观点进行了整合，即没有一种方法可以在所有情况下都有效，有效的策略需要包括媒体素养、事实核查、新闻制作和传播方式的变化、政府监督和法规以及采取当地措施的应对措施考虑到上下文。使用来自六个撒哈拉以南非洲国家的 36 个焦点小组的数据，我们研究了受众对错误信息的体验以及对机构和个人角色的看法以及预防和干预错误信息传播的责任。首先，我们检查对错误信息的看法，特别关注错误信息是否被视为“问题”。其次，我们研究了处理错误信息的感知责任以及问题的可能解决方案。调查结果表明，如果错误信息具有实际或潜在的负面后果，参与者会将错误信息视为一个问题，并表达个人和机构之间的共同责任感，以阻止错误信息的传播。我们研究了处理错误信息的责任以及问题的可能解决方案。调查结果表明，如果错误信息具有实际或潜在的负面后果，参与者会将错误信息视为一个问题，并表达个人和机构之间的共同责任感，以阻止错误信息的传播。我们研究了处理错误信息的责任以及问题的可能解决方案。调查结果表明，如果错误信息具有实际或潜在的负面后果，参与者会将错误信息视为一个问题，并表达个人和机构之间的共同责任感，以阻止错误信息的传播。