AfICTA 13th Quarterly eConference

About the Event

Disinformation (false information or fake news) is the intentional act of misleading people, especially through propaganda by or against a government, organization or individual. Its intention is usually to manipulate public opinion or influence political, social or other outcomes, and it takes forms such as fabricated news articles, manipulated images or videos, deceptive social media campaigns and conspiracy theories.

Although disinformation has existed for centuries, it became far more prominent in the digital age, when the Internet and social media began spreading information rapidly and widely. Its consequences are far-reaching: it can undermine democracy, incite social unrest, erode trust in institutions, and harm individuals and communities.

The 13th Quarterly eConference of Africa ICT Alliance (AfICTA) is hosted by AfICTA Southern Africa stakeholders in collaboration with the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa (IITPSA). It examines the theme “Fighting Disinformation as a Prominent Cybersecurity Challenge”, on the belief that the issue calls for a multi-faceted approach combining technology, media literacy, policy interventions and individual critical thinking.

Individuals must critically evaluate the information they come across, fact-check claims and seek multiple reliable sources before accepting or sharing it. Fact-checking, digital media literacy, responsible journalism and transparency from online platforms are all important steps in combating its spread.