The Online dominance of alternative media and how it contributes to mis/disinformation in South Sudan

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A report compiled by Okech Francis and Emmanuel Bida, AFF-South Sudan fellows

Background  

In South Sudan’s current developing media landscape, social media has become a national phenomenon and can be considered a mutiny to the news environment. This is because various users create their own content and curate the flow of information differently for public consumption.

According to the Digital 2021 South Sudan Hootsuite report, in January this year, there were 900.7 thousand internet users across the country. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of internet users increased by 13 thousand (+1.5%). This increase according to technological experts can have both negative and positive impacts.

Several other kinds of research reveals that social media has extended beyond everyday interpersonal communication and ‘life-sharing’ to the (quasi-journalistic) gathering and sharing of news information. The ease with which information is published and shared online challenges the long-established connection between the press and society, with journalists playing a mediating role as gatekeepers.

In addition, the possibility to comment, like, share, and follow news online has increased audience involvement with the news. For example, people, especially the young, increasingly get the most unverified and fact-checked news through social media – interactions that are habitually geared by Alternative Media.

As news circulation increasingly takes place through social media like Facebook and Twitter, which are regularly used by South Sudanese abroad and a few within the country, online sharing and discussions can create widespread mis/disinformation on certain issues or actors. Numerous researches reveal that when news spreads across social media, this increases attention to the story, ultimately influencing the (online and offline) public agenda. 

In order to deepen and analyze South Sudanese online interactions on Alternative Media’s planetary, especially on how they handle their stories, #defyhatenow – Africa Fact Checking Fellows have been monitoring their various Facebook pages and Twitter handles.

The prominent media houses featured in this brief included, Juba TV, Hot in Juba, Nyamilepedia, Visit South Sudan, Smart Family TV, Sixty 4 Tribes Press, The South Sudan Herald, Ramciel Broadcasting, Bentiu TV, among others.

Mis/disinformation related Stories on Alternative Media

Below are some of the few examples of mis/disinformation related stories that were poorly handled by the mentioned particular alternative media houses.

1.  Nhial Deng alleged story of having tested positive for COVID-19, posted by Sudan’s Post:

COVID-19: South Sudan presidential affairs minister has reportedly tested positive

The story was refuted by the Office of the President:

The above story published by Sudan’s post alleged that Nhaial Deng, the Presidential Affairs minister was among those that tested positive for covid-19, together with Ateny Wek Ateny, the Presidential Press Secretary in the Office of the President.

This story that had created vast debate online turned out to be false. According to their comments, many online users believed the information. But after the widespread, the Office of the President in a late manner dismissed the fake news.

2. President Kiir’s alleged resignation rumour.

The letter regarding President Kiir’s alleged resignation

As seen in the above screenshot, a message circulated on various WhatsApp groups stating that the President was set to resign. According to our analysis, this story could have likely caused divisive politics, hence triggering conflict in the country. But it was later fact-checked and found to be untrue – a move which reduced the anticipated panic. 

3. Another sensitive story was shared by a South Sudanese who stated that Ugandan authorities/thugs killed a South Sudanese boy in Kampala.

After thorough research and fact-checking, we discovered that the story was actually a modification of a post made by the same person that a South Sudanese boy was killed in Egypt. The individual merely changed Egypt to Uganda. This is an example of unhealthy news that can negatively affect South Sudan’s relationship with its neighbours and may harm Ugandans in South Sudan.

Find the link to the story fact-checked by 211 Check.

4.  Controversies regarding the Minister of Education’s statement on the national Primary Leaving Examinations for opposition areas.

Late last month, Awut Deng Achuil – General Education and Instruction minister issued a statement regarding the final fate of the primary national exams. In the statement, she mentioned that due to insecurity, students in opposition-controlled areas of Jonglei, Upper, Unity States and some government areas (Warrap) would not access the national exams, but this story was misreported by some Alternative Media, which created online wrangles filled with mis/misinformation.

Its negative implications left the civil population to wonder whether peace parties were truly in a unity government if they are not able to coordinate amongst themselves. It was taken as a political rivalry between the SPLM-IG & the SPLM-IO. However, the students later sit for their exams after a number of engagements.

Trending Stories

During the monitoring period, the leading stories included:

  1. Controversy over delayed Certificate of Primary Education Examinations for pupils in SPLM-IO controlled areas of Jonglei and the Upper Nile States.
  2. Mass Leakage of the Certificate of Primary Education examinations, with the education ministry being blamed for poor exams regulations. This was shared on multiple pages. 
  3. Mary Boyoi’s visit to Tanzania to feature Harmonize in a song, “All I Need”. The story was shared on multiple pages. 
  4. Government’s failure to meet the February 15th deadline for reconstitution of National and State Assemblies. Multiple Pages shared the story. 
  5. The story about South Sudan adopting the anal swab as COVID-19 cases surge.
  6. The arrest of drug traffickers trying to smuggle heroin via Juba International Airport (shared on multiple Pages).
  7. Achair Wiir intervenes to clear South Sudan UN debts (shared on Blog/Website).
  8. Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan’s Presidential Press Secretary tests positive for COVID-19; Nhial Deng Nhial and President Kiir rumoured COVID-19 positive. (Shared on multiple pages).
  9. Leaked classified Information story regarding….”SPLM DECISION MAKERS RESORT TO POLITICS OF ASSASSINATION”. The story shared on 12th February had 53 Reactions, 33 Comments and 66 Shares. 
  10. 17 year old South Sudanese boy shot dead by Ugandan Security Personnel in Kampala (13th February) – 75 Reactions, 159 Comments and 52 Shares. That was later found out to be a false story. 
  11. An alleged story of Aggrey Sabuni, former presidential advisor on economic affairs having died of Covid-19.

Analysis

  • During the monitoring period, the team noticed that there is a significant increase in the spread of fake news, with most Alternative Media engaged in the publication of sensational stories in order to capture the readership and create more viewers/followers.
  • It was identified that Alternative Media regularly get their news from citizens reporters and sometimes from mainstream media. Most information from citizens reports is mostly inaccurate, unverified and can cause harm to public consumption. It is noticed that most alternative media do not investigate or fact check stories but are good at sharing content quickly in order to attract more viewership.
  • AFF fellows have also noticed that the majority of Alternative Media are not active on Twitter. They mostly dominate Facebook, where many South Sudanese with low social media literacy are present. In addition, the team also identified that some Alternative Media Facebook pages have gone inactive with their last posts being before or shortly after mid last year (2020).
  • Impressive move; the team also noticed that some Alternative Media have in some cases apologized to the public for publishing inaccurate information – a great professional and ethnical step.

Recommendations

In order to mitigate the spread of rumours, claims, fake news and misinformation related content online by the Alternative Media, the following should be done by the relevant authorities.

  •  There should be regular fact-checking and verification of questionable news items published online by the alternative media. It is always important to write to them on the verdict of their information once checked. This will help counter misinformation and encourage them to publish credible information. This can be done by fact-checking platforms (211 Check) and others.
  • The team recommends that fact-checking organizations and authorities should be proactive especially in the publication of their fact checks. The team strongly recommends that 211 Check should consider promoting their social media pages to reach a large audience. This will help to counter misinformation and ensure the coverage of a wider audience. 
  • South Sudan National Communication Authority should capacitate its role in monitoring social media as is the case in many of the neighbouring countries. This should include requiring alternative media to acquire legality so that they are easily regulated.
  • There is also a need for the promotion of social media literacy and the importance of consuming healthy information. This should be done by the Ministry of Information, telecom companies and partners.
  • Government and partners should prioritize funding data-driven and online safety projects or institutions in order to bridge the already created gaps between mainstream and alternative media.

Links for Reference:

https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-south-sudan
A misleading post about alleged S. Sudanese boy killed
COVID-19: South Sudan presidential affairs minister has reportedly tested positive

Physical and cyber bullying, an underlying errant affecting many in silence

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A report compiled by Geu Lazarus and Juan Evelyn Mule, AFF-South Sudan fellows.

Background

Physical bullying is defined as the activity of repeated, aggressive behavior intended to hurt another individual physically, mentally, or emotionally, while cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages or images of an intimidating or threatening nature. These can be through posting other people’s photos on social media in order to hurt them or making hurtful comments on other people’s posts.

According to Comparitech, (Sam Cook) a data journalist, privacy advocate and cord-cutting expert, Cyberbullying is on the rise worldwide. From 2018-2021, the global statistic has been increasing rapidly. Based on the research that Comparitech did on 20,793 with parents between March and April 2018, especially among adults aged 18-64, some countries have responded and most are aware about cyberbullying with India toping the index while Europe and other Americans have noticed the cases of their children being bullied.

In regard to the East African region, a 2017 research conducted by Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health in public secondary in Nairobi, Kenya stated that, between 63.2% (640) and 81.8% (828) of students reported various types of bullying, both direct and indirect, with significant variations found for sex, age, class and year of study, whether in day or boarding school. Being bullied was significantly associated with becoming a bully, in turn.

In 2020, Plan International launched the #FreeToBeOnline campaign to protect girls and women. According to a survey under the campaign,  14 thousand girls from 22 countries, including South Sudan, attested to being physically threatened, racially abused, sexually harassed and abused online. 

Various researches states that cyberbullying maybe a contributing fact to suicide surge amongst youth today. But for South Sudan, the young generation, engaged both online and offline might be dying in silence without speaking out.

South Sudan Safety Comm project was recently established after many online users expressed pitiful stories to #defyhatenow over their bullying related experiences. Currently, There are no statistics regarding South Sudan’s physical and cyber bullying, according to police authorities. 

Experience from a victim

Agotich Alier Ajak is a second-year student of Law at the University of Juba who has undergone both physical and cyber bullying.

Years ago, Agotich was involved in a fatal accident that left her disabled. This, she says, has given bullies a chance to torment her – a scenario that has left her mentally affected negatively.

“On a certain particular day when I was at Juba town, a young boy laughed at me right in my face, it became more painful when all the elders who saw him laugh at me burst into laughter in support of him” Agotich painfully narrated.

She added that some people have condemned her for her disability calling her names and laughing at her, saying that she will not get married since she uses crutches for support.

She stressed that she has been bullied both physically and online.

What South Sudan’s laws say about physical and cyber bullying?

According to Wani Michael, a member of the Constitutional Amendment Committee, South Sudan Constitution as amended in 2011 does not have a specific law on bullying but it does have such crimes constituted in some laws.

“There are no bills currently on cyber bullying and cyber-crimes. However, the penal code has a general outlook that tackles the crimes and there are penalties for such crimes” Wani elaborated.

For his part, Maj. General Daniel Justin, the national police spokesperson confirmed that there are a number of cyberbullying related cases across the country. He, however, didn’t provide data.

“Cyber-crimes and physical bullying practices are punishable by law. The issue is people do not report these issues to the police. I urge the public to report such cybercrimes to the police for further investigations, in order to hold those people accountable.

“We as police are working hand in hand with civil society and the Interpol in order to curb cyber and physical bullying so as to help combat the spread of fake news and incitement of violence to the public” said Justin.

What experts say about physical and cyber bullying?

According to Ajang R. Nyibol, a mental health expert, both physical and cyber bullying cause low self-esteem.

Nyibol stressed that the occurrences can eventually cause depression and anxiety to those affected, “a person that is bullied ends up feeling not good enough. This may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions if not helped in time”.

Meanwhile, human Rights activist – Reech Malual who heads the Screen of Rights organization is among the few condemning the misuse of social media by South Sudanese.

Reech urged South Sudanese to avoid using social media for harassment and intimidation of different genders, “the negative online sentiments discourage female professionals from accepting jobs in public offices in fear of being accused of using sexual favors”.

What needs to be done/way forward

As far back as 2018, Reech has been urging the government to enact a cyber-bullying law, arguing that it will help track and curb cyber and physical bullying since the perpetrators can be easily followed up and punished as the law requires.

“The government has a role to be able to have a cyber-law, to be able to control the content of what is being published on facebook” he said.

It is on record that many South Sudanese have experienced both cyber and physical bullying in and outside South Sudan. 

Western countries consider bullying or cyberbullying a criminal act which may be addressed in a single law or may be addressed in multiple laws. African countries like South Sudan would benefit from creating similar laws since Cyber-bullying is categorized under Harassment, Defamation, and or Publishing intimate images without consent of the source.

In an exclusive interview with 211 Check last month, Napoleon Adok – National Communication Authority Director General said South Sudan has embarked on the drafting and enactment of Cyber Crime Law.

South Sudan has no plans of adopting anal swab Covid-19 test.  

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False Information!

South Sudan has no plans of adopting anal swab Covid-19 test.  

It is being reported that South Sudan intends to adopt anal swab as a method of having quick COVID-19 test in fight against the novel coronavirus. 

The claim was shared on Facebook and published on several alternative media websites in a barrage of local headlines.

“South Sudan to adopt Anal Swab as COVID-19 cases surge – Medical Practitioner,” reads the headline of Ramciel Broadcasting Corporation news article.

The same article was republished by Juba Eye on their Facebook Page.

When contacted by 211 Check, Dr. Loi Thuou Ezekiel – Ministry of Health spokesperson said, “No, I have never heard something like anal swab. I am the official spokesperson of the ministry of health but I am not aware of that”. 

For his part, Dr. Angelo Guop Thon – Public Health Laboratory Manager overseeing COVID-19 test said the story was a distortion of information. 

He stressed that the physicians are having a number of consultations toward adopting Rapid Breath Analysis (RBT).

“It is called rapid test [RBT] but it is not a swab. We are actually discussing and the final approval is about to be made. The moment it is approved, we shall let you know. It might take 1-2 weeks for it to be approved” said Dr. Angelo. 

As per 211 additional research, anal swab test is being used in China.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/anal-swab-china-coronavirus/2021/01/27/cc284f56-6054-11eb-a177-7765f29a9524_story.html

Anal Swab Test

What is the difference between Anal Swab Test and Rapid Breath Analysis? 

According to medics, an anal swab test involves inserting a cotton swab 1.2 to 2 inches into the rectum. Once the swab reaches there, it is gently rotated several times, then removed and placed into a sample container. The entire process only takes about 10 seconds. The method was first rolled out in China in January this year 2021. 

(https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/anal-swabs-coronavirus)

Rapid Breath Analysis

Early trials of a new test for coronavirus open up the possibility of “rapid identification” for the disease in seconds rather than hours.

Research results published by the Lancet follow trials in Scotland and Germany showing breath analysis developed in Wales may be able to distinguish Covid-19 from other chest infections almost immediately. 

According to medics, the latest machines were developed by Imspex Diagnostics at its headquarters in the Cynon Valley in south Wales. 

Originally, the technology was being used to develop tests to detect illnesses such as lung cancer, and how to distinguish between bacterial and viral respiratory diseases quickly. 

But as the new strain of coronavirus became a global pandemic, the firm took the decision to focus its diagnostic efforts on the emerging disease. 

(https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-54718848)

Kindly, disregard any information online stating that South Sudan is planning to adopt anal swab test. 

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

The story was fact-checked by Emmanuel Bida – AFF – South Sudan fellow. Cohort 1.

The passenger didn’t die inside the plane

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Misleading post!

The passenger did not die inside the plane as stated by some online media houses. 

Various online media houses and personnel on Friday misreported a story where a passenger that came from Khartoum, Sudan passed on at Juba International after shortly after arriving.

They alleged that the passenger died inside BDR airplane, a statement Juba International Airport authorities condemned, saying the old woman fell as she was climbing down from the stairs of the plane. 

“The female passenger who came from Sudan fell down as she was coming from the stairs of the BDR plan with her daughter. After the incident, we immediately lost her” Kur Kuol, Juba International Airport director told 211 on Friday.  

Kuol added that the cause of the death is yet to be known, “the rumors that she died of Covid-19 cant be determined as true now, but doctors are the right people that will tell us the reason behind her death”.  

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

President Kiir isn’t Covid-19 positive, says Ateny

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Fake news!

President Salva Kiir hasn’t contracted Covid-19. 

When contacted by 211 Check on Friday, Presidential Press Secretary – Ateny Wek Ateny stated that president Kiir has not contracted the novel coronavirus as rumored on social media. 

“There are some junior staff that have tested positive and two senior officials, which include me and Madut Majok, the political analyst. 

“We were tested positive but amazingly, the president is not infected, so anything that talks about the president being positive is a lie, they are just fabricated lies, the president is safe” said Ateny. 

Ateny, however, confirmed that a number of staff in the office of the president contracted the virus and are under self-quarantine as recommended by medics. 

When 211 Check also fact-checked the above picture using the Photo Forensic image engine, the picture has no origin and it seems to have been photo-shopped. We wrote to Next Media Management (Uganda) for comments but the company is yet to respond. 

This brief alert is published to sensitize you on the ongoing rumors that the president contracted the coronavirus. And thus when you come across such posts, kindly report them to online social media managements or ignore them.  

Note: Don’t engage yourself in online conversations that spread mis/disinformation and hate related content. 

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

This story was fact-checked by Okech Francis, Emmanuel Bida and Juan Mule, AFF- South Sudan fellows. 

Business woman Achai Wiir didn’t pay South Sudan’s UN membership arrears

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Fake News!

Business lady Achai Wiir didn’t pay South Sudan’s UN membership debts.

A news story published by a South Sudanese online news outlet on Tuesday, 15th of February stated that business lady – Achai Wiir cleared South Sudan’s UN membership arrears. When fact-checked by 211 Check, the story is misleading and qualifies under fake news category.

In an exclusive interview with 211 Check on Wednesday, South Sudan’s deputy Foreign Affairs minister – Deng Dau revealed that the arrears where paid by the Ministry of Finance, a statement that contradicts the news story, which indicated that an anonymous official from Foreign Affairs Ministry said the debts were cleared by business lady Achai Wiir.

“It is the Ministry of Finance who paid the debts. All the government obligations are paid through the Ministry of Finance. It was actually $499,000$ that was paid but due to transactions from one point to another, what arrived seemed to be $495,000.

“The Ministry of Finance wired the money to the Bank of South Sudan and the Bank wired it directly to the Account of UN in New York” Deng revealed. 

He added that the Finance Ministry also cleared the African Union arrears.

“Whatever liquid money that has been going out, is the Ministry of Finance that has been paying. Our role is just to receive the communication from the finance but the finance processes the payment and that is how government works” Deng added.

When contacted by 211 Check, Promoter Kay Two, a close person to business woman Achai describe the news as fake.

“I have just seen that post and it a very big lie. We had not seen or done anything like that and so, we disregard. In fact, we are doing to disregard it right now on Achai Wiir’s page” said K2.

Note: False information spreads so first, kindly endeavor to be always cautious while online. Don’t share any content you are not sure of or you don’t know its origin. Think before you click!

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback. 

A misleading post about alleged S. Sudanese boy killed

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A misleading Post! The Sudanese boy was not killed in Uganda. The incident happened in Egypt last year. 

A post published on Facebook by a South Sudanese user last week indicated that a South Sudanese boy was reportedly murdered in Uganda. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=231865338597014&id=101742418275974

But when the 211 Check team fact-checked the post, it was identified that the same story was published by the same person in October last year as indicated in the link below. The gentleman just changed the name of the country from Egypt to Uganda. 

The story that angered many South Sudanese was never true, the report revealed that the late murdered boy was a “Sudanese” boy, but not a “South Sudanese” as you two posts stated. 

The young boy’s murderer was an Egyptian man and the incident occurred in October last year as reported by the following news outlet and several Twitter handles.

https://www.alrakoba.net/31475517/%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%   D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%81%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1/

https://www.masrtimes.com/14281

In addition, Facebook also published that same article in October last year as in the link below:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=169964338096995&id=109868407439922

Note: to avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback. 

A misleading bank note, 5000 Pounds!

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A misleading bank note, 5000 Pounds!

According to online search engines, the current trending 5,000 denomination was manipulated.

The Central Bank also confirmed to 211 Check that it only launched 1000 Pound note on Tuesday this week.

Disregard the 5000 pound bank note being shared online.

The post was fact-checked by Geu Lazarus, AFF-South Sudan Program fellow.

To know about our fact-checking process check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

A misleading Image!

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211 Check, reverse image searched the alleged picture of Tore Payam, Yei River County that was posted by a South Sudanese and was later reposted by media houses like Hot in Juba.

According to Yandex, Tineye, Google Images and other online fact-checking engines, the picture’s origin is from Equatorial Guinea. Below is the link to the result search, https:/statemag.state.gov/2020/03/0320pom-2/

211 Check wrote to “Hot in Juba management” and they agreed to remove the post – a great professional move. Cheers!

Note: to avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

The post was fact-checked by Emmanuel Bida, AFF-South Sudan Program fellow.

To know about our fact-checking process check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.