Fake news
The COVID-19 infodemic: A year later and fake news is still spreading
COVID-19-related conspiracy theories about 5G network towers, contaminated test kits, immune boosters and vaccine hesitancy are undermining trust and fuelling...
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Sassa warns beneficiaries about fake news on COVID-19 grants
A WhatsApp message was making its rounds saying that more than 3 million South Africans would receive a R3,500 COVID-19 grant for six months.
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Twitter to boot users who persist with COVID-19 lies
The one-to-many messaging service introduced a "strike system" that will gradually escalate to a permanent ban after the fifth offending tweet.
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Social media users more likely to believe misinformation: study
The Pew Research Center report found that people who used social platforms for news were less informed about major public affairs topics and more susceptible to believing rumors and hoaxes.
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No scientific evidence to prove 5G mutates coronavirus, scientists reiterate
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has on Monday held a briefing to unpack the technology as well as address concerns around whether 5G presents a health risk.
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South Africans warned against spreading fake COVID vaccine news
According to the Disaster Management Act, it is an offense if people spread fake news to cause harm.
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A threat to democracy: COVID-19 has exposed how big fake news in SA is – experts
In South Africa, senior politicians and members of the judiciary have expressed doubts about the role of COVID-19 vaccines and the management of the pandemic.
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Message telling people to stay away from hospitals is fake - WC Health Dept
The department said the voice note falsely alleged you would be taken to a COVID-19 ward for a ''death injection'' and would die a few days later.
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FACT CHECK: ANCYL’s promotion of steam and pH ‘cures’ for COVID-19
Africa Check takes a closer look at two ‘remedies’ for COVID-19 being shared by the African National Congress Youth League in Tshwane.
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'Infodemic' risks jeopardising COVID-19 vaccines
Beyond logistics, though, governments must also contend with scepticism over vaccines developed with record speed at a time when social media has been both a tool for information and falsehood about the virus.
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Twitter shuts Iran-based network accused of fanning flames of US race protests
The network of more than 100 accounts allegedly "artificially amplified" conversations on topics including Floyd's death, Black Lives Matter and social justice issues.
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From the US to SA, QAnon sows panic with child trafficking misinformation
Facebook posts shared more than 8,000 times falsely alleged that a building in South Africa's capital Pretoria was a human trafficking hotspot.
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Facebook is letting advertisers sow climate denialism, shows InfluenceMap
Out of the 51 ads identified, only one was removed by Facebook, which says it bans false ads.
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Police warn people not to spread fake news about human trafficking, kidnappings
The police's Mathapelo Peters said that these messages spread unnecessary panic among communities.
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Fake news a 'prosecutorial offence', govt warns SA
Messages making the rounds on social media caused many to rush to liquor outlets on Tuesday to stock up on booze.
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Statement on Ramaphosa addressing nation tonight is fake - spokesperson
Presidency Spokesperson Khusela Diko has confirmed that there will not be an address by the president.
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Africa's female journalists use radio to dispel coronavirus fake news and sexism
Radio is the only source of information in many parts of rural Africa and viewed as an important medium to stem the spread of the coronavirus across the continent which has so far been less severely hit by COVID-19 than other regions.
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A war of words: China tells US to stop misleading world about origin of COVID-19
China said recent accusations by United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump that the virus originated in a lab in Wuhan were part of a political strategy ahead of the 2020 US presidential election.
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Plato to open criminal case against Independent Media, Samwu for misinformation
He said he was appalled by a front-page article in Saturday’s 'Weekend Argus' under the headline: 'Fears of Homeless Outbreak’.
