Tackling misinformation on WhatsApp in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal & South Africa

While fact-checking organisations have tools to assess claims and rapidly debunk inaccurate assertions published in the mainstream media and via social media, WhatsApp stands out as an exception because of its end-to-end encryption. This is notable especially because WhatsApp has enormous potential for sharing information and misinformation about COVID-19.

That said, one of the key points that fact-checking organisations are grappling with is how to counter misinformation shared via WhatsApp. In particular, what are the most effective strategies to tackle health misinformation via this platform? Against this background, KAS Media Africa commissioned Africa Check and the Africa Centre for Evidence, at the University of Johannesburg, to undertake a research study to explore these issues.

This research unpacks several points and provides essential information to shape effective fact-checking strategies to help counter the impacts of COVID-19 in Africa and beyond. Some of the questions the study addresses are what is the nature of misinformation on the pandemic and how are WhatsApp users engaging with health misinformation.

Here's the link to the report: https://africacheck.org/how-to-fact-check/fact-checking-studies/