Media Literacy and Fact-Checking as Proactive and Reactive Responses to Misinformation in Kenya and Senegal
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines how media professionals in Kenya and Senegal respond to misinformation using fact-checking and media literacy strategies and how they perceive these strategies for mitigating the spread of misinformation. We conducted 42 semi-structured in-depth interviews with people belonging to one of the following three groups: individuals employed in the news media such as journalists, reporters and editors; individuals working for either independent fact-checking organisations or doing fact-checking within the newsrooms of online and offline media; and individuals engaged in media policymaking. Findings indicate that media professionals in both Senegal and Kenya employ fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from primary, secondary and expert sources and verifying images and videos using reverse image search as reactive strategies. Consistent with inoculation theory, participants also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to equip media producers and consumers with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with media content. Lastly, journalists, fact-checkers and policymakers lauded fact-checking and media literacy as effective strategies for mitigating the spread of misinformation, suggesting that both strategies should be used simultaneously to empower both media consumers and producers against misinformation.
Source: African Journalism Studies
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4402864879