23 November 2020, Daily Maverick, Thandi Smith and William Bird
Through Real411, Media Monitoring Africa has been tracking disinformation trends on digital platforms since the end of March 2020.
Using the Real411 platform we have analysed disinformation trends which have largely focused on Covid-19. To date, 1005 complaints have been submitted to the platform since March 2020, 96% of which have been assessed by experts, and action taken.
The past week was typified by renewed denial about Covid-19, its seriousness added with a sprinkling of anti-vaccine fearmongering. There were also a string of vexatious complaints seeking to bog down the Real411 system and or undermine its credibility and or efficacy.