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The Conversation
The Conversation
Lifestyle
Dani Madrid-Morales, Lecturer in Journalism, University of Sheffield

Media literacy education in South Africa can help combat fake news - here's what's needed

South Africa Africa WhatsApp Covid-19 US Embassy
A teacher conducts a lesson under a tree in Limpopo Province. Sandile Ndlovu/Sowetan/ Gallo Images /Getty Images

Online platforms are replete with examples of false information – from WhatsApp messages punting some miraculous cure for COVID, to social media posts claiming a politician said something they didn’t.

It’s increasingly common in South Africa. More than 75% of South Africans say they regularly come across political news they think is false. Eight out of 10 South Africans believe that disinformation (or “fake news”) is a problem or a serious problem in the country.

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