Holy Words, Twisted Truths: How Religious Misinformation Fuels Conflict in Nigeria Misinformation has become a pervasive issue in Nigeria, it has transcended political or health misinformation to ethnic and religious misinformation. These misrepresentations of facts have played a significant role in triggering and sustaining various conflicts throughout the country. As a multi-religious nation, Nigeria presents […]
The Sectarian Echo Chamber: How Disinformation Breeds Ethnic Divisions, Hate Speech In Nigeria
The Sectarian Echo Chamber: How Disinformation Breeds Ethnic Divisions, Hate Speech In Nigeria The history of hate speech in Nigeria is deeply intertwined with the country’s colonial past, ethnic diversity, religious differences, and political struggles. After independence, Nigeria’s political landscape was characterised by ethnic tensions, particularly among the three major ethnic groups: Hausa-Fulani (North), Yoruba […]
Nigeria’s Job Seekers at Risk: The Rise of Recruitment Scams
Nigeria’s Job Seekers at Risk: The Rise of Recruitment Scams Many individuals, especially job seekers and young graduates, fall victim to fake job advertisements and lose their money to fraudulent recruiters who demand fees for job applications, training, or placement. These job scammers exploit people’s desperation for employment, causing them financial losses and emotional distress […]
The Information Loophole Around Insecurity in Nigeria and its Implication on Public Trust
The Information Loophole Around Insecurity in Nigeria and its Implication on Public Trust Imagine a battlefield where truth is the first casualty, and fear spreads faster than any bullet. In Nigeria, this is reality as false claims – like the ‘arrest’ of Bello Turji or the repeated ‘deaths’ of Abubakar Shekarau – impacts national security […]
Neem for Malaria Treatment: Myth vs. Reality – Why This Herbal Remedy Isn’t a Cure
Neem for Malaria Treatment: Myth vs. Reality – Why This Herbal Remedy Isn’t a Cure Mutiat Ahmed Azadirachta indica is a medicinal herb commonly known as neem or dongoyaro and used for the treatment of malaria in Nigeria. Despite limited and inconsistent research on its use as a standalone treatment for malaria, its tree leaves, […]
The Digital Witch Hunt: How Disinformation Targets Women and Undermines Equality
The Digital Witch Hunt: How Disinformation Targets Women and Undermines Equality Misinformation and disinformation have long been weapons of manipulation, shaping public opinion, reinforcing prejudices, and distorting historical and social narratives. When these deceptive practices collide with gender, they fuel harmful stereotypes, discredit women in positions of power, and sabotage efforts towards gender equality. These […]
How Generative AI Aids The Spread of Disinformation on TikTok
TikTok is one of the world’s leading social media platforms with over 1 billion monthly active users. TikTok’s algorithmic driven recommendations and viral culture makes it one of the fastest and easiest platforms for the quick spread of information disorders. Sadly, the rise of artificially generated content appears to be worsening the situation. Generative artificial […]
The Censorship Conundrum: Meta Abandons Fact-Checkers, But Will It Stop Working with Governments?
Meta’s CEO and founder, Mark Zuckerbag has announced an end to its partnership with Fact-checking partners, as part of changes to the company’s policy on content moderation. The Facebook founder tied this decision to a need to prioritise free expression and stop censorship. His speech, which was posted as a video on Facebook and text […]
How State Actors, Government-Backed Trolls and Bots Spread Misinformation Online
Social media has become the world’s digital heartbeat, connecting millions across borders with just a click. Like a double-edged sword, it comes with its own challenge—the widespread misinformation and disinformation. The reliance on social media platforms such as Facebook, Whatsapp, and X as primary news sources makes it even easier to perpetuate information disorders, which […]
How Misinformation in the United Kingdom Triggered Riots and Unrest
The 2024 UK riots, a series of violent protests that swept across England and Northern Ireland, were ignited by a tragic incident: the mass stabbing of three young girls–Bebe King, Elsie Dit Stancombe and Alice Da Silva–at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport. While the initial crime which occurred in Late July was undoubtedly […]
