Latest articles on Fake News

Protecting South Africa in the digital information and entertainment age

Opinion Lynette Kamineth, Laurie Less & Pandelis Gregoriou - 26 Aug 2020

The Films and Publications Amendment Act aims to protect citizens, but new technology requires that the regulations and guidelines are updated

Lies, damn lies and WhatsApp: Why it pays to listen to political rumours in Zim

Africa Nicole Beardsworth & Nic Cheeseman - 12 Aug 2020

The rumour mill can shape politics — and reveal uncomfortable truths

Is WhatsApp shaping democracy in Africa?

Africa Nic Cheeseman, Jonathan Fisher, Idayat Hassan & Jamie Hitchen - 21 Jul 2020

A study shows that the social messaging platform is both emancipatory and destructive, particularly during election campaigns

Rethinking communication and innovation in the time of Covid-19

Coronavirus Ylva Rodny-Gumede - 4 Jul 2020

Physical distancing rules do not have to mean that we work in isolation; on the contrary, the need for communication has never been greater

‘Fake news’ fears as Covid-19 highlights the dangers of misinformation

Coronavirus Sarah Smit - 16 Jun 2020

Reliable news coverage is needed more than ever, but trust in the media is at an all-time low

Meet the ‘Corona Guy’ fighting Covid-19 disinformation in Kenya’s refugee camp

Africa Ismail Einashe - 14 Jun 2020

One radio presenter is using the airwaves to bring vital facts about the virus to Dadaab’s 217 000 residents

.lazy-loader-background-element-7.lazyload{ background-image: url(https://bucket.mg.co.za/wp-media/2019/02/6534e897-00-as-bell-pottinger-breathes-its-last-gupta-propaganda-stays-696x445.jpeg) }

For whom the Bell tolls

Opinion Adrian Joseph - 29 May 2020

The cautionary tale of Bell Pottinger reminds us of the role of journalism in a democracy and why we owe it to ourselves to be more responsible about the media we consume

Youth mythbusters needed to curb the viral threat to public health communications

Coronavirus Ramneek Ahluwalia - 23 May 2020

Because most fake news is spread on social media where young people feel comfortable, the government should ask for their help

How coronavirus is affecting Kenya’s hearing impaired citizens

Africa Njeri Kimani - 5 May 2020

A deaf man in Kenya spread the message of Covid-19 when he realised a million hearing impaired people were left out of the conversation

Journalism also facing a pandemic

Article Editorial - 29 Apr 2020

"When the threats are not physical, they are economic. The pandemic has already had a devastating impact on the media landscape as advertising revenues have plunged."

Southern Africa has cracked down on fake news, but may have gone too far

Analysis Timothy Fish Hodgson, Khanyo Farise & Justice Mavedzenge - 5 Apr 2020

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Eswatini, South Africa and Zimbabwe have implemented new rules on disinformation. But these may have unintended consequences

New digital regulations mean the state can track you — no questions asked

Article Avani Singh & Michael Power - 31 Mar 2020

The provisions have been introduced to contain the spread of Covid-19, but some may infringe on certain constitutional rights

Constitutional rights during disaster

Article Franny Rabkin - 19 Mar 2020

New regulations have a far-reaching impact on people’s rights, but they are finely balanced against people’s Constitutional rights

.lazy-loader-background-element-14.lazyload{ background-image: url(https://bucket.mg.co.za/wp-media/2019/12/b44e04b3-2019-12-04-the-hidden-costs-of-social-media-use-in-elections-a-ghana-case-study-image-696x392.jpg) }

The hidden costs of social media use in elections: A Ghana case study

Africa Elena Gadjanova & Ghadafi Saibu - 4 Dec 2019

Efforts to mitigate the double edged nature of social media in politics must take into account local information environments

.lazy-loader-background-element-15.lazyload{ background-image: url(https://bucket.mg.co.za/wp-media/2019/11/c8cc925f-2019-11-22-end-the-global-media-crisis-to-build-democracy-image-696x392.jpg) }

End the global media crisis to build democracy

Article Mark M Nelson - 22 Nov 2019

Raising development assistance for the media could help to advance other development goals

vital information

The Mail & Guardian’s essential coverage of the ongoing coronavirus crisis is free to read for everyone.

If you would like to support us, please consider taking out a subscription.

Latest

Coronavirus

Emergency hospital: Gauteng’s potential R500-million albatross

Sabelo Skiti & Pontsho Pilane - 25 Sep 2020

Construction of an emergency Covid-19 hospital is running months behind deadline, promising to come online only after Gauteng’s peak

National

Durban business raided as Transnet contracts face scrutiny

Paddy Harper - 25 Sep 2020

Contractors allegedly paid Transnet officials for lucrative procurement deals

National

Convict Andile Lungisa resists calls to quit city council

Sabelo Skiti - 25 Sep 2020

Former youth league leader Andile Lungisa cites ANC constitution, and argues assault is not corruption in a bid to keep his party membership

Press Releases

Special Reports

UNISA hosts its first TEDx event

[email protected] - 26 Sep 2020

The Elephant in the Room Tedx event at UNISA will help to create meaningful change in South Africa through the power of ideas

Special Reports

SA’s SEZs create decent jobs

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Special Economic Zone programme is used as a critical tool for accelerating the country’s industrial development agenda

Special Reports

The new normal in tourism is business unusual

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

Innovation and changing trends have kept some tour operators in the green, though most have struggled during the tight lockdown

Special Reports

TENDER NO. BOBS 05/2020 PROVISION OF CERTIFICATION SERVICES TO BOTSWANA BUREAU OF STANDARDS QUALITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) invites tenders from reputable companies for the provision of certification services

Special Reports

The Galaxy Z Fold2 smartphone breaks all the rules

special reports - 25 Sep 2020

The Galaxy Z Fold2 has meaningful innovations that offer users enhanced refinements and some unique foldable user experiences

Special Reports

Adventures, ghost tours and big skies await visitors to the Cape Winelands

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

All of the CWDM destinations are accessible within a 30- to 120-minute drive from Cape Town, creating real value for money

Special Reports

SingularityU Online Summit to contribute to SME growth in 2020

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

The global speakers lined up for this year's event will address the challenges and opportunities specifically facing small businesses

Special Reports

Policy priorities lie with urgent economic reforms

special reports - 23 Sep 2020

Professor Raymond Parsons believes that business and consumer sentiment in South Africa would both benefit from even lower borrowing costs