The spread of fake news is as damaging as the spread of the virus. Find out the real facts here.
Subaru Johannesburg
Fake News vs Fact
Our government has taken a serious view on fake news and the spreading of it. This is a good thing because fake news can be as damaging as the virus itself. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Technology, advised RMI (Retail Motor Industry Organisation) that all motor industry members will help curb fake news by providing a link to the official Corona SA website (www.sacoronavirus.co.za)
Like many other countries, South Africa is prosecuting people that are found spreading fake news. A man has been arrested already for spreading fake news through social media according to eNCA.
How to tell the difference?
It is a good question, how do we know what is fact and what is fake news? Here are a few ways to check:
Check out the SA COVID-19 Resource Portal (https://sacoronavirus.co.za/). It gives the latest stats, procedures during lockdown, government statements, emergency hotlines, tips and more.
Join the SA Corona WhatsApp group. The number is 060 012 3456, save the number to your phone. Then send "Hi" to it and you will be able to access more information. To read more about this group read the article featured on Good Things Guy
You can also check on South African Government website. They have a page that is dedicated to Fake News, (https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/fakenews). From the one about helicopters dropping chemicals on citizens to the one where schools are only opening in 2021, you will be able to confirm if the news is fake or not.
Listen to the radio, watch the news channels, read online newspapers. If there is information that needs to be passed on it will be passed on through news channels. All of them will be reporting the same story.
The only way we are going to get through this is together. You may receive a piece of news from a family member or friend. Even though they mean well check the facts first before sending it on.
