Explainer: Is the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages harmful to human health?

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Writer:  Ochaya Jackson

A video shared on Facebook on December 15th, 2022, and still making the rounds on social media, claims that Coca-Cola, which is one of the sugar-sweetened beverages, is not fit for the human body.

The three-minute video shows a Coca-Cola drink being poured into a saucepan and is accompanied by text that reads: “I will never buy Coca-Cola again. I discovered the secret.”

The screenshot of the heating stove while Coca-Cola drink is being poured

The video features a female voice narration demonstrating the effects of heating Coca-Cola on a hot stove in a saucepan. The narrator warns people not to drink Coca-Cola while raising questions about its chemical composition. 

The video alleges that Coca-Cola contains sugar and other harmful chemicals for the body. However, it does not specify the exact nature of these chemicals in Coca-Cola drinks.

“Don’t take this. Do you know that you are in danger by taking it? I’m going to show you now why you can not take it. Look now, I’m going to put about two bottles in a pot, and I will show you the danger you are running. People often do not know what they are taking. What is really the composition of Coca-cola? This drink has its chemistry. It is not really good for [the] human body. When you take it you feel your blood pressure rise,” the female’s voice explanation about the Coca-Cola drink on the video claimed. Four people die of diabetes. It is something very dangerous. The whole world knows that the sugar level is very high. It does more damage to your health,” the narrator claims.  

Additionally, the video suggests Kappa Tea as a healthier alternative, emphasising that it is produced ‘without sugar’.

Coca-Cola falls under sugar-sweetened/carbonated beverages, along with other sodas with added sugar.

Investigation:

211 Check researched on Coca-Cola drinks and other sugar-sweetened beverages, using publicly available data or literature on beverage drinks; and it gathered that excessive consumption of such drinks is unhealthy for the human body.

A study published in 2015 by the U.S.-based National Institute of Health, estimated that 184,000 people globally died due to sugary drink consumption. 

“Worldwide, the model estimated 184,000 deaths/year attributable to Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) consumption: 133,000 (126,000–139,000) from diabetes, 45,000 (26,000–61,000) from cardiovascular diseases, and 6,450 (4,300–8,600) from cancers. 5.0% of SSB-related deaths occurred in low-income, 70.9% in middle-income, and 24.1% in high-income countries,” indicates the study. 

Similarly, a 2016 study on rats examined the effects of Coca-Cola consumption on rodents and found that those who consumed the beverage developed kidney and liver malfunctions compared to rats that did not drink it. Notably, the study emphasized the need for further research to confirm whether these effects extend to humans.

Likewise, in 2018, the National Institute of Health published a literature review detailing the impact of sugary drinks on the brain. The review revealed that sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk of stroke and dementia due to the compounds and chemicals they contain.

According to Medical News Today, regular consumption of sugary drinks can increase blood sugar levels and affect the brain’s pleasure centres in a manner similar to heroin. There is also a confirmed link between sugary drinks and diabetes and their adverse effects on kidney and liver activity.

However, the report suggests that moderate consumption of Coca-Cola and sugar-sweetened beverages has only a minimal impact on human health.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Australia, in one of its advisories, acknowledges that many of its beverages contain sugar and that moderate consumption is considered healthy. Nevertheless, excessive consumption is not advisable for human health.

“Many of our beverages contain sugar, which has kilojoules. While sugar is fine in moderation, too much of it isn’t good for anyone. Consuming too many kilojoules, including soft drinks with sugar, can contribute to weight gain,” it said on its website.

Further, Coca-Cola recommends a maximum of 150 milligrams per day, which, according to Mathaauditor and Flightpedia, equals 0.15 millitters. 

Fact-sheet

In 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines on free sugar intake, recommending less than 10% of total daily energy consumption for adults and children. It further conditionally suggested reducing free sugar intake to less than 5%, equivalent to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day, for better health.

Free sugars include those added to foods and drinks by manufacturers, cooks, or consumers and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juice concentrates. A single can of sugar-sweetened soda contains up to 40 grams (around ten teaspoons) of free sugar, according to the WHO.

According to a 2022 report by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay, cavities, gout, and arthritis. To maintain a healthy weight and dietary pattern, individuals are advised to limit their intake of sugary drinks.

Conclusion:

Research shows that excessive consumption of Coca-Cola or other sugar-sweetened beverages may harm human health, and moderate consumption is therefore advisable.

To maintain good health and a healthy weight, individuals should consume these drinks moderately to reduce the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular issues, kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, and related illnesses.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter 

Blog: What is Catfishing, and how can we avoid it?

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Thanks to smartphones, pretending to be somebody online is effortless. All it takes is a couple of photos, a different user name, and voila — you’re in business. But it takes extraordinary planning and manipulation to be a successful catfish. Finding photos for profile and feed images creates new email addresses for fake Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat accounts.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

Catfishing is a growing problem online, with more and more people falling victim to scams involving false identities. According to recent statistics, 41% of U.S. online adults said they had been catfished at some point – an increase of 33% since 2018. In Britain alone, over 200,000 people may have been catfished on dating apps in 2019, while romance fraud grew by 50% between 2018 and 2019 in Australia.

In North America, 29% of all catfishing incidents occur worldwide. In comparison, women are 63.2 % more likely to be targeted than men, according to one survey, which found that 45 per cent of men and 43 per cent of women reported being approached by someone with false online identities. A study by Eharmony revealed that 50 % of participants encountered fake profiles when using dating websites or apps. In comparison, another website reported almost 80 % of users were involved in conversations with scammers at some point.

Romance scams cost consumers 201 million dollars last year, only within the United States. In contrast, the average loss per person was 11,145 pounds for UK victims and 24,438 Canadian Dollars for Canada Victims, respectively. The FBI also recorded 20 thousand complaints related to Romance Scams, including Catfishing Scams reaching a record high in 2020, where 85 per cent of cases involved False Photographs used in Fake Profiles & the 25-34 age group most likely get targeted, accounting for 24 per cent out of overall victims list. Finally, 35% of Online Dating Users faced similar scamming attempts, and 61% of US daters encountered the same issue during the pandemic this year.

What is Catfishing?

Catfishing creates a false identity and interacts with someone for a specific purpose, usually to “lure” them into a relationship. This can include mild flirting to years-long partnerships. The catch? These people have never and will never meet in real life, although they can spend an hour a day communicating with someone.

Thanks to smartphones, pretending to be somebody online is effortless. All it takes is a couple of photos, a different user name, and voila — you’re in business. But it takes extraordinary planning and manipulation to be a successful catfish. Finding photos for both profile and feed images, creating new email addresses for fake Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat accounts — the lengths people will go to to keep up the charade are mind-boggling. They must also stay “in character” when messaging so they don’t slip up. In extreme cases, catfishing can also lead to severe harm and even death, as in the recent case of a family in California in 2022.

How Catfishing Works

You may wonder why a person would believe a catfish and continue an internet-only relationship. For catfishing to work, the victim must also want to believe that the catfish is real — whether because of loneliness, desire, friendship, or more.

This isn’t to say that the victim is at fault. It’s just that the catfish knowingly uses flattery and emotional manipulation to kickstart a connection and then nurtures it steadily. And because catfish isn’t who they say they are, they’ll constantly come up with excuses for not meeting in real life or via video chat. If they did, they would instantly give up their real identity. Common excuses include:

  • “My phone is broken.”
  • “I’m shy.”
  • “My mom’s home.”
  • “The internet’s acting wonky.”
  • “ Am broke”.

Of course, any of these reasons could be valid for a real-life friend, but when they happen every time communication is attempted, it’s a sign that something may be wrong. 

Why People Catfish

There are many different reasons why a person would pursue a fake relationship, ranging from boredom to harmful ulterior motives.

Low self-esteem: Some individuals may lack the confidence to interact with people as their real selves. They can live out their romantic fantasies by creating more attractive versions of themselves with fake photos.

Jokes: Sadly, catfishing can happen just because a person is bored and wants attention. It may also be a very targeted form of cyberbullying among kids, especially as a way to pick on less social teens and tweens.

Revenge: Former romantic partners may turn to catfishing to get back at their ex. Here, the catfish gets satisfaction knowing that their ex is emotionally invested in a fake relationship, which will inevitably fail or be revealed.

Fraud: Some catfish will start relationships for the sole purpose of getting money out of somebody, whether through fabricated sob stories, extortion, or other deceptive means.

Grooming: When an adult catfishes a child for eventual abuse, it’s called grooming. It’s a crime whether the predator pretends to be a child or not, however. 

How Kids Are Especially Vulnerable To Catfishing

Kids don’t always assume the worst of people, especially when someone is being nice to them online. For victims of bullying-type catfish, there’s often a genuine desire to fit in or be loved. A shy teen or tween who thinks they’re being messaged by the most popular kid in school may want nothing more than for that to be true. Their critical thinking skills and scepticism overlook warning signs and missing information in the hopes that it may happen, just like in the movies. Sadly, it’s often just mean-spirited classmates preying on their vulnerability. 

As for adults who pretend to be kids, it’s manipulation and abuse, plain and simple. Predators are known to target lonely kids or children from less stable households. They may pretend to be a kid at first or simply lie about their age. The adult slowly grooms their victim by paying them compliments, listening to them, or buying them gifts. This may pave the way for an eventual in-person assault. Though it doesn’t have to — a child and a predator never have to meet for abuse to occur.

Catfishing Warning Signs to Look Out For

Not sharing personal info.

Creating all aspects of a fake person’s life from scratch takes a lot of work, so, unsurprisingly, a catfish may not have thought of everything. Noticeable gaps could include details about their family, what classes they’re taking (if a kid), or even what part of a city they live in.

Only text chats

As we mentioned, catfish can never expose their real identity, meaning that real-time video chatting or meeting up in person is definitely off the table. To compensate for this, they’ll pour lots of energy into text messaging and DMing.

Few candid photos

A catfish usually has to have at least a few photos of the person they’re pretending to be. But recent, updated photos — like a selfie with the giraffes if you said you were going to the zoo that day — aren’t an option for a catfish.

Asking for or giving you things

For the catfish looking to take advantage of people for monetary gain, they’ll begin by asking for small favours or gifts. It may progress to online gift cards, Venmo requests, and more. The same may also be true in reverse: a catfish may shower a victim with presents to win them over.

A sparse social media account

Having a believable feed on Facebook or Instagram is a little like your credit history — the further back it goes, the better it is. This is because hoping creates a brand-new persona online. They start from scratch. They’ll get around this by often putting “new account” in their profile to explain their lack of posts. 

No Snapchat

For kids, one substantial red flag does not have a Snapchat account. This is because Snapchat messaging consists almost entirely of spur-of-the-moment photos and videos. Not having one means you’re probably unable to send up-to-date pics of yourself, which catfishes definitely can’t do.

Lack of online friends

Getting people to follow a fake profile can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. However, having a group of friends to comment, like, and tag you frequently on these apps is complicated. A noticeable lack of consistent peer interaction (especially for young people) is a big red flag. However, remember that a catfish could have fake, extra “friend” accounts they use to make their posts more realistic.

Talking to Your Child about Online Strangers

Often, seeing is believing — especially for kids if you ask them the question, “What is catfishing?” Our team created a video to show how easy it is for an adult to create a fake social media account and use it to start conversations with kids. Children may think they’re invincible when it comes to knowing who their friends are online, but predators can be skilled at tricking people. 

Ensure you have open and ongoing conversations about online strangers and that your kids feel comfortable telling you who they talk to online. Suppose you’re worried about catfishing and need a digital safety net. In that case, Bark helps parents protect their kids from dangers like these. Alerts are sent when conversations indicate a significant age gap or potentially abusive behaviour, so you can help keep them safe online and in real life. 

Below are ways to protect yourself and your personal information from potential catfish.

 1. Do a background check.

You can conduct a name search or an online background check with the help of services like Information.com and Instant Checkmate. This can help reveal an individual’s social media profiles, news articles in which they could be mentioned, or other digital content containing their name. After the initial search, you can confirm further personal details like their workplace, where they come from, and their friends etc., to make sure that who they claim matches what the internet says about them.

2. Know the signs of being catfished

If the catfish’s description is thorough and detailed, it may be difficult to tell when you’re being caught. Since the catfish’s profile is only created to be sick, people may not have a lot of followers or friends. A catfish may never want to voice or video call, avoid in-person meet-ups, and even ask for money. These are all signs that you are being catfished and that you should put up your guard.

3. Never share your personal information.

Oversharing personal information with strangers can be dangerous. If someone you’ve just met online begins asking for your data, such as an address, additional contact information, or account details or tries to push you to tell them about your life or work, they could be catfishing you.

If they ask you for a password on the pretext of an emergency, that’s a preeminent warning sign that something is up. Asking for personal data is another big red flag because that behaviour isn’t normal and should cause alarm. 

4. Be suspicious of those you don’t know.

Be careful when you receive friend requests, correspondence, or message requests from people you need to become more familiar with. Treat online conversations the same as real-life ones. While it’s okay to interact with new people and make more friends, you should be cautious and look out for catfishing signs discussed above.

5. Ask questions that require specific knowledge.

If you suspect that someone is catfishing, ask them questions that only people with their reported background would know. You can ask about malls and restaurants from where they claim to come from or something particular about what they do. Be wary of them if they’re hesitant, or try to avoid your questions.

6. Use reverse image search to identify fake profile photos.

Social media is full of fake images and profiles. If you’re suspicious of the person you’re chatting with online, consider using a reverse image search to identify fake images. This tool also allows you to confirm a photo’s authenticity by looking at similar images and the original version of the photo.

7. Try to get them into a video call.

One of the fastest ways to detect if somebody is catfishing you is to ask them for a quick video to avoid in-person meet-ups and ‘, avoid in-person meet-ups, and enter online meetings, says Caleb Riutta, Co-Founder of DUSK Digital.


Endnote

Falling into a catfishing trap can lead to financial losses, heartbreak, and misuse of peer interaction (especially for young peer interaction (especially for young people), an arch of your precious information or money.

Common misconceptions about fact-checking and information verification

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Fact-checking is an important tool for verifying the accuracy of information in today’s world, and it is vital to be aware of the myths and truths about it.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

In today’s world, verifying the accuracy of information is more critical than ever. With the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, it is easy to be bombarded with information, much of which is false or misleading. Fact-checking is the process of verifying the accuracy of the information, and it is an essential tool for anyone who wants to be informed about the world around them.

There are many common myths about fact-checking. One myth is that fact-checking is biased. Fact-checkers are trained to be objective and impartial and use various methods to verify the accuracy of information. However, it is essential to remember that no one is perfect, and there is always the possibility of human error.

Another myth is that fact-checking is only about politics. Fact-checking can be used to verify information about any topic, not just politics. Fact-checkers often fact-check claims made by businesses, celebrities, and other non-political figures.

A third myth is that fact-checking is censorship. Fact-checking is not censorship. It is the process of verifying the accuracy of information. Censorship is the suppression of information that is considered to be objectionable or harmful. Fact-checking is not about suppressing information but ensuring that the information being shared is accurate.

A fourth myth is that fact-checkers are always right. Fact-checkers are human, and they make mistakes. It is important to remember that fact-checking is not a perfect science, and there is always the possibility that a fact-checker could cause an error. If you see a fact-check that you disagree with, you should do your research to verify the information.

A fifth myth is that fact-checking is not necessary. Some people believe fact-checking is unnecessary because they can simply trust their judgment. However, it is essential to remember that we are all susceptible to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to seek information confirming our beliefs. Fact-checking can help us to avoid confirmation bias and to make more informed decisions.

It is essential to be aware of these myths to make informed decisions about the information you consume. If you see a claim you are unsure about, you should do your research to verify the information. You can also use fact-checking websites to help you verify the accuracy of information.

Here are some tips for fact-checking information:

  • Look for credible sources. When trying to verify information, it is crucial to look for credible and reputable sources. You can check the source’s website to see if they have a clear mission statement and if they list their sources. You can also look for fact-checks of the source by other reputable organisations.
  • Be sceptical of sensational headlines. Sensational headlines are often designed to grab your attention but may be inaccurate. Reading the entire article before deciding whether to believe the information is essential.
  • Check the facts. Once you have found a trustworthy source, you can check the facts. Look for evidence to support the claims that are being made. If you can’t find any evidence, or if the evidence is contradictory, then you may want to question the accuracy of the information.
  • Don’t share information you’re not sure about. Before you share information on social media or with others, make sure you are sure that it is accurate. You can avoid spreading misinformation by taking the time to verify the information before you share it.

Fact-checking is an integral part of being an informed citizen. Awareness of the myths about fact-checking and using the tips above can ensure that you get accurate information as a content creator or news consumer.

Fact-check: A Facebook post saying banks in South Sudan are approving loans is a scam

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There is no South Sudanese bank giving out loans, this is another online fraud. It shows how scammers use fake loan adverts to trick people into giving their personal information.

Writer: Jibi Moses 

Beware of loan scams on social media! A post with the bold headline “New Loan, Apply for up to $16000” is making rounds on social media in South Sudan. The post claims that banks in the country approve loans of up to $20,000, even for those with debt, and provides a link for interested individuals to click to access the loan money. However, the post is nothing but a scam.

The page behind the post, named Finance-Personal loans, introduces itself as Escrow, and it is neither rated nor has any reviews. Only a few people reacted to the post, but some expressed interest in the opportunity.

The link in the post leads to a page that asks how much money you need and provides four options to choose from. Clicking on any of the figures takes you to the next page, which looks a little suspicious. The page asks if you have a credit card and gives you three options to choose from: “Yes,” “No,” or “No, I would like to.”

Screenshot of the false post on Facebook

A screenshot of the main advert of the post.

After selecting an option, you will be directed to another page where you need to confirm that you are not a robot. After that, you will be redirected to a website owned by M&T Bank, an American bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

The website has unclear instructions, but a small instruction says, “I need my loan.”

The template where one is given the options of money amount 

“When you click on any of the amounts or figures above, the next slide appears scary and suspicious.

“Do you have a credit card?” is the question presented, with the options of “Yes,” “No,” or “I would like to.” You must select an option to continue.”

“Whatever choice you make, you will be directed to the next page, where you will be asked to confirm that you are not a robot. 

This is a website of M&T BANK with unclear instructions, except for a small instruction that I need for my loan.”

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the link provided in the post, when analysed on Whois, was for a different company called Returso. M&T Bank has no branch in South Sudan or dealings in the country. Therefore, the post is nothing but a scam, and no banks in South Sudan are giving out loans to anyone.

Screenshot showing Whois information for the scam site

Screenshot showing Whois information for M&T Bank

M&T BANK

Meanwhile, M&T Bank Corporation is an American Bank holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. It has no branch in South Sudan nor any dealings in the country.

Conclusion:

Based on the information presented, the entire article appears to be fraudulent since no South Sudan banks provide loans to individuals. The two organisations, Returso and M&T Bank mentioned do not have a presence in this region, and their websites do not indicate any offers for free loans.

Scammers use these tricks for fishing out people’s personal details, which they later use for personal gains. These personal details include email addresses, bank account information, social media accounts, and more. It is important to remain vigilant and protect oneself against cybercrime.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Before applying for any loans, research and check the authenticity of the institution offering the loan. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Fight misinformation in mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter

Social Media Health Report, January 2023

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Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

The current social media health report is based on data gathered from January 1st to January 31st, 2023. It examines the most prevalent conversations on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter. The study also evaluates the prevalence of hate speech, false information, and incitement to violent content shared by both South Sudanese online and those abroad related to South Sudan. The report also looks at the growth and landscape of digital and social media in South Sudan.

The report analyses the activity of the top Facebook pages, groups, Instagram accounts, and Twitter handles using tools such as CrowdTangle, Vicinitas, and other monitoring methods. The key topics featured in the report are determined by their level of engagement and attention received on social media.

Throughout the reporting period in January 2023, several social media accounts posted an average of 2 times per day, with over a thousand posts published.

Key Findings and Issues:

  1. 13 people were killed and five others wounded in an attack in the Abyei region on 3rd January 2023

According to a statement from the United Nations Interim Security Forces for Abyei (UNISFA), a combined armed group of Nuer and Twic Dinka launched an early morning attack on Rumamer village, 15 kilometres south of Abyei Box, killing thirteen people and injuring five others (all Ngok Dinkas), while burning down 27 houses.

The news surprised social media, and users expressed sympathy for the souls who died while also sending condolences.

Oil-rich Abyei has been a source of contention since South Sudan’s independence in July 2011. The two countries have yet to reach an agreement on border mapping.

Screenshot of a viral social media live video by Radio Tamazuj

  1. Graduation of over 3,000 necessary unified forces in Unity State on 15th January 2023

On January 15, 2023, at least 3,000 unified police forces graduated from the Kaljaak training centre in Unity State. Tut Gatluak Manime, the Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs, presided over the graduation and urged the police officers to protect civilians and their property.

Discussions on this development were centred around the graduation delay and the need to cater to the forces’ welfare.

A Screenshot of a viral post by SSBC News

  1. After years of feuding, singers Mary Boyoi and Lady Kola reconcile.

Mary Boyoi and Lady Kola are two South Sudanese female artists who have been feuding over some sort of disagreement. Following Promoter Kay Two’s announcement that they would perform at a Together for Peace Concert in Aweil, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State, Mary Boyoi stated that she would boycott the concert if Lady Kola were present.

A discussion ensued online, particularly about the importance of not having such a difference since they were attending a peace concert. The organisers had to sit both singers down, which resulted in reconciliation, and they did, indeed, perform on the same stage at the peace concert.

A Screenshot of a viral post by Hot in Juba

  1. Alijoma Mabil and John Frog. What went wrong?

Alijoma Mabil and John Frog, two South Sudanese male artists and their fans, began an online exchange that appeared normal but contained elements of hate speech. In early January, they called each other out on social media in several posts.

A Screenshot of a viral post by Alijoma Mabil

  1. Response to remarks by Kalisto Lado on Clubhouse

In his capacity as a leader of the Bari Community Association, the former mayor of the Juba City Council, Kalisto Lado, has spoken out against the brutal slaughter of members of his community in Mangalla at the hands of cattle herders. He claimed that the herders had the goal of “occupying” land in Central Equatoria as part of their plan.

Clubhouse, an audio platform, was used by the ethnic group of herders living in the diaspora to respond condescendingly to the allegations against them.

Screenshot of a Clubhouse recording doing the rounds online

  1. The #SSOT Twitter hashtag

Using Vicinitas, a tool that tracks and analyses real-time historical tweets, tracking the hashtag #SSOT reveals no major hate speech-related or disinformation terms among the engagements on the Twitter platform during the reporting period.

Word Cloud 

The type of content being shared consists primarily of major retweets, and the majority are text-based.

Types of posts and media

Analysis:

The social media trends in South Sudan reflect a mix of reactions to current events and discussions on various topics. The attack in the Abyei region, the graduation of the unified police forces, and the reconciliation of Mary Boyoi and Lady Kola were met with sympathy and support. At the same time, the online exchange between Alijoma Mabil and John Frog contained elements of hate speech. The former mayor of Juba City Council, Kalisto Lado, spoke out against the brutal slaughter of his community. Still, the ethnic group of herders living in the diaspora used the Clubhouse platform to respond condescendingly.

The analysis of the #SSOT hashtag on Twitter showed no major hate speech or disinformation-related terms during the reporting period. However, the spread of misinformation and disinformation remains an issue of concern. The discussions on social media reflect the need for unity, peace, and the welfare of citizens and the concern over unresolved disputes and conflicts in the region.

Recommendations:

To improve social media discourse in South Sudan, it is crucial for users to adopt responsible and ethical practices. Recommendations include promoting respectful and peaceful discussions, verifying the accuracy of the information, using social media to build bridges and foster dialogue, encouraging critical thinking and fact-checking, and promoting media literacy and digital citizenship. By following these guidelines, users can contribute to a more informed and peaceful online community in South Sudan.

Explainer: Beware of fake content that exploits emotions and clouds rational thought

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Content that shocks or horrifies or makes us feel anxious or fearful is often used by disinformers. This week we show how our emotional responses are used to cloud rational thought and how disinformation can entrench stereotypes.

By Daily Maverick

Those who wish to spread disinformation often play on our emotions. It’s a tactic that is also used by salespeople. How many of us, for example, have been in a shop where we are thinking of making a purchase (usually an expensive one) and seeing us hesitate, the salesperson tells us how much interest there has been in the same item and how the one we are looking at is the last one? This is designed to make you anxious about losing a possible bargain, while encouraging you to make a decision based on another person wanting the same item. It adds urgency and pressure.

Most of the media organisations in South Sudan, which adhere to professional standards of ethical journalism, don’t publish fake news. Our media usually think very carefully when using graphic and disturbing images, and offer context and warning and, crucially, some kind of justification for showing unverified images. 

If you see suspicious content on a social media platform, ask: Why is it there? Who has posted it? What do they hope to achieve? Ask if there is any justification for using such graphic content and if it advances the story in any way. 

If you find content about issues you are uncertain of, or if you are vaccine-hesitant, and suddenly your emotional buttons are being pressed, exercise extreme caution, check credible media and then avoid sharing, unless there are clear reasons to do so. 

A quick note on credible media – how do you know? Well, you can look to see if the media organisation subscribes to accepted standards of professional journalism. Do they offer a credible means of addressing complaints? Do they tell you who the editor is? Any media organisation that avoids such mechanisms is not helping with their or the media’s credibility. 

Another role as a reader and active member of the public is to keep reporting those who seek to exploit and heighten fear. It won’t stop disinformation, but it may reduce its spread and cause less harm. It is critical that we all play our part in combating and mitigating these digital offences. If you suspect that content on digital media is disinformation, hate speech, harassment of journalists or incitement to violence, report it to relevant authorities in your area.

Explainer: Using TinEye; Essential for Fact Checkers

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TinEye is an image search and recognition company with experts in computer vision, pattern recognition, neural networks and machine learning with a mission to make images searchable.

By #defyhatenow Cameroon

Social media has made it easier to share memories, pictures, and communication across distances. Even the most basic social media sites have enabled users to upload photos, share information about themselves and make friends. 

According to a publication on Social Media today; Social media dates back as far as the early 1840s.  The first recognizable social media site, “Six Degrees”, was created in 1997 by Andrew Weinreich. It enabled users to upload a profile and make friends with other users. 

In 1999, the first blogging sites became popular, creating a social media sensation that’s still popular to this day. As years have passed, an increasing number of social media platforms and sites such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn among others have come up. 

These sites have attracted billions of users for diverse reasons. With the increase of user numbers on these platforms there has been a rise in the propagation of misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and Hate Speech. 

When the term “fake news” comes up, people think of social media posts with rather implausible stories. While posts shared on social media are the most visible aspect of it, there is so much more to fake news than exaggerated article titles on social media feeds. Given that “fake news” is often spread with the use of texts, images, videos, animated graphics, fact checkers have resorted to using open source platforms for verification to debunk “fake news”. 

Some of these open source platforms include; TinEye, Yandex, RevEye, Reverse Image Search, Google Reverse Image Search, Jeffrey’s Exif Viewer, Google Advanced Image search, Forensically among others. 

We will delve into dissecting TinEye.

Functions, Features and Methodology

TinEye is an image search and recognition company with experts in computer vision, pattern recognition, neural networks and machine learning with a mission to make images searchable.

It has a feature known as Compare Feature that lets you quickly switch back and forth between your search and result image by highlighting any differences between the two images. It’s especially useful to see how images have been cropped, resized, skewed or manipulated.Today, 

TinEye’s image recognition is used by millions of people and powers billions of searches across a wide range of industries. TinEye is privately owned, profitable and its revenues are generated by its clients. Using TinEye, one can search for detailed information on an image or perform a reverse image search. This can be done by uploading an image or searching by URL (Uniform Resource Locator), the address of a World Wide Web page. You can also simply drag and drop your images in the search box to start your search.TinEye constantly crawls the web and adds images to its index. 

Today, the TinEye index has over 41.9 billion images. To check about an image, you can upload it from your computer or mobile device by clicking the upload button to locate the image you wish to search for. To search by URL, simply copy and paste an image URL address into the search box. One can as well drag an image from a tab in his/her browser and drop it in a browser tab where TinEye is open.Lastly, it’s possible to simply Copy and Paste an image from your clipboard.

How to use Tineye to search for an image

You can search for an image with TinEye in three ways:

  • by drag and drop
  • by uploading an image
  • by giving TinEye a URL (this can be a page URL or an image URL)

The easiest way to search with TinEye is to drag and drop an image onto the TinEye webpage in your browser.

To search by uploading an image, just click the upload button (blue arrow in a circle) to select from your computer or device the image you’d like to search with.

You can search with a web address (URL) by simply copying the link into the search box on Tineye. 

Below are some YouTube videos on how to use TinEye in identifying a doctored image.

How to use Tineye: https://www.youtube.com/embed/XemlN-B7w38?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&rel=0

How to use Tineye identifying a doctored image: https://www.youtube.com/embed/I3Sbihz4vpI?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&rel=0 

Most images found online are protected by copyright and should you like to use any image found through TinEye, you will need to find the image owner and contact them directly. 

Unless an image is identified as a public domain image, you need to ensure that you get in touch with any image copyright holder and secure the rights to use the image you have found. 

Unfortunately, in South Sudan, because of the weak legal system in the country, image copyrights are greatly abused as individuals, institutions and other reputable bodies extract people’s images from the internet and use them without their consent.

TinEye can be used to find out where an image came from or get more information about it and research or track the appearance of an image online. One can also find higher resolution versions of an image, locate web pages that make use of an image, discover modified or edited versions of an image, debunk an image or help with attribution.

Access wise, there is a paid and free version of TinEye. The former allows for virtually unlimited search by prepaid bundles while the latter gives room for one to do 100 searches per day and up to 300 per week.

Conclusion:

TinEye is a peculiar and unique search engine in that this technology takes an image file and goes through the internet scanning it with the help of crawlers and making sure it looks for matched images or the source of the image as inserted or based on the option one has input in the search bar. Given the fact that it possesses a Reverse Image Search option or Reverse Search Engine, it is used to find plagiarised work, lost connections, suspicious characters and much more. 

Recommendations To Journalists:

  • TinEye is an effective open source image search engine. Journalists can therefore use it amidst others mentioned above to be able to minimize the spread of images of doubtful origin.

To Tineye:

  • Tineye should find a way to alert its clients when their content is being used.
  • There should be sensitization on the application and its usage so that many more people can easily use the app.
  • Some images are not copyright protected and there are difficulties tracing the originator. Tineye may find a way to protect these images.
  • Tineye should make it possible to search images greater than 10mb.
September 2021 South Sudan Social Media Health Report

September 2021 South Sudan Social Media Health Report

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A 211 Check, Defy Hate Now South Sudan Report

Introduction

The monitoring for this social media health report took place from September 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021.

This month’s monitoring includes a comprehensive study of social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp using CrowdTangle, Vicinitas, and Better TweetDeck platforms.

The report’s content is based on how viral it is and how many people interact with it. This report also studies disinformation and/ or misinformation campaigns, online hate speech and incitement to violence, coordinated behaviour and/or influence operations.

Key issues of the month

  1. Omah Lay’s Show in Juba

A picture shared by SSDGuna.com, an online blog with the caption “Check out how Omah lay moved the audience at freedom hall..juba south sudan..” on Sunday, 5th September had over 4,000 interactions, 297 comments and 27 shares.

But, infact, the photo was not of his show in Juba, Freedom Hall. The photo shared by SSDGuna.com was when Omah Lay performed in Kampala, Uganda in 2021.

Many comments on the post disapproved of the post as being taken in South Sudan. “This is Uganda, the day he was arrested for breaking COVID-19 rules,” reads a comment on the post. “Nonsense. How can you copyright photos from Uganda claiming it was taken here. That’s why we don’t trust ourselves,” reads another comment.

Screenshot of SSDGuna.com Post about Omah Lay’s Post
  1. Speech by Student Representative at a graduation in Egypt

A video shared by South Sudan Media, a Facebook Page in which a South Sudanese Student Representative spoke during their graduation in Egypt got over 51,200 views, 3,000 interactions, 112 comments and 129 shares.

In the comment section, congratulatory messages were shared to all graduates. “Thousand million congratulations. God bless you all,” reads a comment.

Screenshot of a video post by South Sudan Media
  1. Viral Photos of Gau Gau Garang, a teacher in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State

Photos of a teacher with disability, in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State shared by SSDTV and other online media platforms went viral from 4th September through 6th September. Gau Gau Garang could be seen in pictures teaching primary school children under a tree. Many commentators described his contribution as the true meaning of “disability is not inability”

The online campaign offered him recognition by the state ministry of education and philanthropists.

Screenshot of a viral post by SSD TV about Tr. Gau Gau in Aweil
  1. Juba City Mayor raids witchcraft home in Gudele Block 9, warns against the practice

A raid by Kalisto Lado, the mayor for Juba City Council in what has been termed as a “den” of witches in the Gudele suburb was a talk of Social Media on Sunday, 5th September 2021 – During a inspection visit, the mayor and his team surprisingly visited “witch house” where they found photos of people who have allegedly been bewitched.

The photos first posted by the mayor’s official spokesperson and re-shared by Talk of Juba got over 488 interactions, 316 comments and 540 shares. Several social media users on Facebook and Twitter made memes. The women arrested later appeared in court.

There were mixed views in the comments section. Though others praised the mayor, others did not like the idea – because according to them, witchcraft might be the source of livelihood for those whose shrine was raided.

A Talk of Juba post about Juba City Mayor Kalisto Lado storming a shrine
  1. Vice President for Gender, Youth and Humanitarian Cluster lauds National Basketball team

The Vice President for Gender, Youth and Humanitarian Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior lauded the South Sudan National Basketball team for their outstanding performance in Rwanda. 

She said she was very proud of the work of the team in their debut at the Afro Basketball 2021 and emerging 5th.

A Video shared by Twic Media Reports got over 16,800 views, 1,000 interactions, 100 comments and 93 shares. Commentators thanked her for acknowledging the great work of the Basketball team and its leadership. However, They called on the government to support the team financially.

Screenshot of Twic Media Reports Video of Vice President Nyandeng
  1. Adut Akech buys first house in America

The story of Adut Akech buying her first house in America at the age of 21 which she shared on Instagram on Saturday, 4th September got over 394,630 interactions, 10,316 comments and several shares on Facebook.  

She captioned it “I DID IT, I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOUSE in America!!!!! 🥺🥺🥺🥺 I’m usually quiet about personal things like this, I just be moving in silence but this one is TOO big of an achievement and proud moment for me to not share with the world. I cannot believe that at 21 years old I’m a proud owner of 5 HOUSES!!! 🤯 I sit back reflect on my life and the things I have achieved within my career and personal life…. and damn I’m so bloody PROUD of myself for staying focused and working…”

Most comments were congulatory on her milestone, especially at a tender age.

Adut Akech Celebrates her new home in an instagram post
  1. A touching message of an orphan girl child at Stone International Church asking for support from philanthropists and requesting the President for help because they are the future of this nation.

The video was shared by Dynamq, a South Sudanese singer with the caption, “When I wrote the song “Eyal Del” it was her story. Dynamq & The Voices of South Sudan | Eyal Del”

The video got a total of 102,400 views, 5,000 interactions, 470 comments and 861 shares. Several commentators expressed solidarity with the little child in the video. 

  1. South Sudan earns respect after AfroBasketball 2021

On September 13th 2021, the President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation, Luol Deng said South Sudan has now earned respect following their performance at the Afro Basketball 2021 in Kigali, Uganda. According to him, many teams now needed their players. The post by City Review got 306 interactions, 31 comments and 11 shares. 

Commentators poured congratulatory messages as well as appreciation to Lual Deng, the Federation’s president.

  1. South Sudan receives 152,950 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines donation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A message shared by the US Embassy in Juba, South Sudan said the vaccines were of the United States Government’s efforts in fighting COVID-19.

The post had over 2,000 interactions, 128 comments and 38 reactions.Most comments were expressing gratitude for the support extended by the US government.

Arrival of Johnson and Johnson Vaccines to South Sudan
  1. Meet Kiden, a model with hearing defects representing South Sudan in Tanzania

Josephine Kiden is a 24-year-old model born in Juba with hearing defects. As the world marks the International week of Deaf People, South Sudan celebrates Kiden for qualifying to represent her country in the upcoming Miss and Mr. Deaf Africa 2021 beauty contest in Tanzania.

It has always been Kiden’s dream to prove to the world that deaf people are as talented as people without disabilities. Now is the perfect opportunity, she says. While growing up, children in school and in Kiden’s neighborhood would mock her, name-calling her “Atarasa,” an Arabic word for a deaf person. A word she detests bitterly.

Josephine Kiden to Represent South Sudan in Miss Deaf Africa
  1. Twitter Engagement

In the last 10 days of September, 647 Twitter users in South Sudan made over 1,900 tweets with 7,000 engagements and had an influence of 6.1 million on Twitter as seen in the following image.

Twitter Word Cloud for #SSOT and #SouthSudan in the last 10 days of September

The most used hashtag is the #SSOT which stands for South Sudanese on Twitter followed by #SouthSudan. The #SSOT was used over 1,900 times whereas the #SouthSudan was used over 527 times

Most Used Hashtags in South Sudan Twitter

Most South Sudanese on Twitter retweet posts accounting for 67.4% and the most used media in these posts are photos with 87.7% followed by videos with 11.4%

Pie charts showing Types of Posts and Rich Media by South Sudanese on Twitter

Social Media Analysis:

The first week of the month had discussions revolving around Omah Lay’s show in Juba – a show that was sponsored by Lucky Charm, a music manager. This shows that the music industry continues to be of public interest on South Sudan’s social media space.

Another discussion in the same week was around the disabled teacher in Aweil Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal. The messages shared by commentators show that South Sudanese online are appreciative of the role played by persons with disabilities in the country. There are some digital natives who came forward to assist the teacher who subsequently received recognition for his state education ministry.

A crackdown by the Juba City Mayor on witchcraft and wizardry caught attention – nonetheless, in later stages of the discussion, men were throwing blames on women as person who are so much into the practice of witchcraft – these stereotypes did not go well with most women who answered back and there were unhealthy debates and counter blames.

Progress made by the national basketball team at the Afro Basketball in Kigali, Rwanda was in the middle of the month among the top discussed topics – this was supplemented by the remarks of the Vice President for Youth and Gender Cluster who lauded the excellent work of the club – and assured of government’s support to further develop the sport. – most commentators called on the government to support sports so it can go to the international level.

Instagram and Twitter: The number of South Sudanese on Instagram and Twitter continues to be really low. Most of the interesting and engaging discussions around South Sudan topics happen on Facebook and in WhatsApp groups. On Twitter South Sudan content is unified by the hashtags #SSOT and #SouthSudan. The word cloud above clearly gives an indication of the dominating discussions on Twitter.

Conclusion

Using social media monitoring technologies, discourse, and content analysis, this report examines the online behavior of South Sudanese social media users. Hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation efforts, also known as Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour (CIB), have all decreased in the last few weeks, according to this month’s monitoring. Not just the postings, but also the comment sections, have been largely positive.

Furthermore, the speeches given by government representatives are neither violently inflammatory nor misleading. The words they choose and the way they deliver them to the public are carefully chosen.

Furthermore, the report found that social media users are open and courteous in their interactions.

As a result, according to the research, total social media involvement is fairly healthy. There hasn’t been anything in the way of hate speech or demands for violence. As a result, powerful activists and government leaders should avoid spreading conspiracies and sending conflict-sensitive messages.

Covid-19 worsens the already distressed state of ‘Persons with Disability’ in South Sudan

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By Woja Emmanuel Wani and Viola Elias – AFF Cohort 3 fellows

South Sudan like other countries is battling to contain the spread of Covid-19 since the world youngest nation registered its first coronavirus case on April 5 2019 through a foreign national that travelled from the Netherlands via Ethiopia capital Addiss-Ababa and later to Juba.

For a country with 12 million people and with the poorest health infrastructure according to UN health reports, the situation of people living with disabilities could be way far devastating. 

According to the South Sudan Union of People with Disabilities, close to 11% of the population of South Sudan are probably or in fact affected by disabilities, representing over one million PwDs. Within camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) alone, it is estimated that there are up to 250,000 PwDs.

According to members of civil society, since Covid-19 emergence, the status quo of PWDs has changed drastically, ranging from their socialization, rights, freedoms, among others. Many activists say the disease increased fear, stigmatization and has worsened the health conditions of people with disability. 

A 2013 UN report stated that out of the 15% of PWDs in South Sudan, 5.8% need to be provided with services. But this has not been the case for Sarah Andrua – a physically impaired orphan who lost both parents in early 2000s when she was 1.

The 20 year old University of Juba student says she finds it difficult to transport herself from home to school due to lack of mobility. 

“Before I came to Juba to live with my uncle, I had spent most of my childhood at the orphanage home in Nimule. Growing without my parents and with parental love was not something easy at all. At some point in my life, I moved from one relative’s house to another”

Sarah narrated her ideal to 211 Check. 

Sarah stressed that as a person with physical disability, she endured stigma from her own family and community members.

“We people with physical disabilities have our own challenges which include rejection by our families and communities but when covid-19 came, it became more difficult for us. As for my case, transportation has been my main challenge to extend I at some point, I was about to quit my studies. Imagine, I commute from Gudele Jebel Yausu residential area everyday to the campus in Hai Soura”

Sarah added.

The Bachelor Degree ‘Community Studies’ student added that she almost quit due to financial constraints caused by Covid-19.  

‘I wanted to quit my studies so that I could just stay home, but I then initiated a talk with the former manager of the orphanage center, who later encouraged me. He also continues to aid me with finances, so I can further my education. As we speak”

Sarah revealed.

Andrua who appeals for mobility assistance went on to encourage people with disability to never give up during hard pandemic season. 

Constitution on disability 

The World Health Organization in a 2013 report stated that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are approximately estimated to be 15% of the Population across South Sudan, with most disabilities acquired during the liberation period. 

The right to education for all citizens of South Sudan, regardless of disability or gender, is enshrined in article 29 of the Transitional Constitution. However PWDs have not been able to realise this human right, according to South Sudanese civil society activists. 

Despite the “Education for All” campaigns, access to education by PWDs is still limited in South Sudan and particularly children with disabilities are the most disadvantaged. 

Misinformation Vs Disability

According to health experts, COVID-19 has created unprecedented challenges to safety and security worldwide but most adversely on persons with disabilities.

In Juba, these challenges have been registered on the basis of Covid-19 information dissemination to the communities carried out by numerous national and international organizations, UN agencies and health authorities.

Distributing accurate and timely messages and countering the spread of misinformation is critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic but this has not been the case with the visually impaired persons in South Sudan, according to Mr. Ambrose Lobijo.

The 46 year old Gudele resident who is a virtually impaired stressed that his environment has been and continues to be flooded with Covid-19 misinformation and fake news. 

The father of three states that Covid-19 myths have even made him deny coronavirus vaccination, stressing that he was advised by his family members to never take the jab because it might worsen his already existing illness.

“For the last three years, I have been suffering from a disease that makes me fall down at least once or twice a month. My family thinks if I take the jab, it will affect my well-being further”

said Ambrose

But the World Health Organization (WHO) says people with underlying conditions such as cancer, asthma, and heart disease, among others can also be vaccinated.

However, Ambrose says his health complication has been examined severally but doctors failed to identify what exactly contributes to his unpredicted collapse occurrence that often happen.

“At first, I wanted to be vaccinated but my brother told me he heard on the radio that the vaccine is not for people who have mental problems. I consider myself mentally ill because sometimes fall on the road, in the markets or even in public taxi”

Ambrose added

When contacted for comment on the vaccine myths, Dr. John Romunu – Director for Preventive Health Services at the Ministry of Health disputes the claims, adding that the vaccine does not have any negative impact on the mental health of a person.

Dr. John, instead said only persons with internal heath disorders such as respiratory infections are advised to be examined before taking the jab.

“There has never been medical proof that people suffering from internal mental disabilities shouldn’t take the jabs. The instructions from WHO are clear, only persons with respiratory conditions may be the ones at risk if they get vaccinated. My message to people is that, any information out there regarding the vaccine without scientific defense is a lie and should be considered fake”

Said Romunu

Disability is a complex, diverse, and growing global concern. Doctors believe every person with a disability has unique features and requirements in their lives.

Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities reinforces the right of PwDs to achieve the highest possible standard of health and well-being without any form of discrimination based on disabilities.

The convention states that PwDs’ needs should not be ignored during an emergency lockdown – a provision which entitles them to safe and accessible formats for information on COVID-19, including the use of sign languages.

The convention also advocates for creation of an enabling environment for caregivers/peers/community members who can assist disabled persons by providing essential services.

It also calls for promotion of awareness and sensitization to health-care providers to provide equal opportunities, maintaining dignity and respect whenever a person with disability requires care in hospital.  

End..

AUGUST REPORT: Politics, Sports and Cultural dabates rocked S. Sudan’s social media landscape

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Author: Bida Emmanuel 

Introduction

This social media health report is based on data collected during working days from August 1st to August 31st, 2021. The major goal of the report is to examine the main and most talked about conversations on various social media platforms. 

The report as well studies the overall dynamics of hate speech, dis/misinformation and incitement to violence contents shared by South Sudanese netizens and foreign nationals related to South Sudanese regardless of being situated within the country or abroad – a study also signifies South Sudan’s digital and social media landscape and growth. 

This month’s monitoring comprises an overall assessment of top Facebook pages’ social media posts using CrowdTangle’s platform and other social media monitoring techniques. Report’s key topics are identified based on the level of participation and the amount of attention it receives on social media.

In the August reporting period, a total of 129 out of 198 pages published posts, totaling to 7,480 posts with an average of 2.07 posts per day. 

In comparison with July’s report total number of interactions, August’s number of interactions went down -11.09 percent. 

Findings: Key issues of the month 

  1. The killing of Catholic Nuns in the road ambush along the Juba Nimule Highway

An attack along South Sudan’s major road connecting the country to the East African Region left five people killed. The fateful ambush that occurred on 16th of August led to the killing of two Catholic reverend sisters. 

Though three suspects linked to the attack were apprehended, the occurrence left various social media platforms talking. A Facebook issue by an online media house – Talk of Juba had over 1,400 reactions, 2,600 comments and 61 shares.

Several comments extended condolence messages and sympathies for the loss of lives that occured. However, some people were wondering if South Sudan shall ever have true peace. Most comments did not have hate speech or misinformation components.

  1. Wrestling Spectators in Sherikat standing on motorbikes

Twic Media Report – an online/unregulated media house on Aug 18, 2021posted a picture captioned “Wrestling Spectators in Sharikat when they were watching Gongic being thrown down” drew audience attention with over 3,000 reactions, 73 comments and 19 shares. Gonic, mostly known as a PhD wrestling graduate, is a Jonglei State naitive. 

The comments expressed surprise but also cautioned the spectators watching the match while standing on their motorbikes from falling.

 “Good brothers and great, but problem is there when you fall down,” reads a comment from one online user, while another commenter said “U should have to mind about your life brothers. What if you fall down from there? Who will you blame?”.

  1. South Sudanese-American middle-distance runner wins a gold medal, breaking a national record by Ajee Wilson set in 2017 in the Olympics games

On 11 August, Athing Mu – a 19 year old South Sudanese American middle distance runner broke a record at the Tokyo Olympics 2021. She won a gold medal in the 800 meters, breaking a national record set by Ajee Wilson in 2017.

The Facebook post by Radio Tamazuj floated with mob congratulatory messages got over 1,000 reactions – 155 comments and 42 shares making it the most viral post that day.   

Shockingly, some people were wondering why the medal Athing won for America is being associated with South Sudan.

“Stop associating South Sudan to America’s success. That is a sad way of consoling us,” reads a comment. “I do not know why people of South Sudan are congratulating Athing Mu who is American,” reads another comment.

  1. Presidential Security Affairs Minister condemns Kitgwang Declaration by a section of the SPLM/A – IO

In a 10th August Facebook Video by the Ministry of ICT and Postal Services, President Kiir Presidential Advisor Tut Gatluak in a press conference condemned a Kitgwang declaration by a breakaway group led by Simon Gatwech Dual and Johnson Olony in Magenis, Upper Nile State.

In the video that had 18,400 views, 776 reactions, 32 comments and 180 shares, Tut talked about the formation of a committee to investigate and address the root causes of the conflict within SPLA-IO.

  1. COVID-19 vaccines acceptance through grassroots engagement

A rapid assessment by the UN children organization in South Sudan indicated that there was an information gap resulting from misinformation and disinformation linked to the coronavirus vaccine. 

UNICEF said the Integrated Community Mobilization Network quickly helped to increase the daily vaccination coverage by the sixth day from 20 people to 200 per day in Warrap State.

In the comment session of the Facebook post, the public raised concerns about getting their second jab due to vaccine shortage and also questioned why the picture of the people who lined up for vaccination were not adhering to Covid-19 preventive measures.  

“Social distancing was not maintained. Where are the Standard Operating Procedures? Asks a commentator. Another wondered why, “vaccination was good when social distancing was not there?”.  

  1. Demonstration on 30th August 2021

Another hot trending topic discussed on social media in the last weeks of August was the peaceful strike due to poor governance in South Sudan, organized by a pressure group; the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA). 

It made people create memes such as the above picture shared by Juba Eye on Sunday, 29th August captioned, “this photo was taken tomorrow in Juba town”.

The post had over 3,000 reactions, 746 comments and 133 shares, though some people were concentrating on what they term as grammatical error, the meme was depicting the likelihood of protestors being hunted by organised forces should they stage a demonstration. 

Conclusion

Using advanced social media monitoring methods, conversation, and content analysis, this report analyzed online hate speech, misinformation and fake news in South Sudan. 

According to the month-long assessment report, contemporary social media behavior is becoming a severe worry. Hate speech can be found not just in postings, but also in comment sections.

Furthermore, the study discovered that what individuals are talking about and sharing on social media overlaps. People are exposed to a variety of realities, and as a result, they express varying viewpoints and instead of being honest and having a reasonable dialogue, social media users prefer to utilize slurs and incendiary phrases. 

As a result, the report identified that overall social media involvement is widely healthy, with minimal nasty content and calls for violence being produced and disseminated. 

The 211 Check team also observed that mainstream media was not involved in spread of conspiracies but employed  conflict-sensitive reporting practices. However, this is the moment for all stakeholders to address key issues before they become a source of unanticipated events.  

End….