Discarding confusion: Navigating Information Disorder in South Sudan is a training presentation by Ghai Aketch Deng on Saturday 26th August 2023 from 10 AM to 12 PM Ghai Aketch Deng is a South Sudanese journalist, fact-checker, and researcher. He has used his fact-checking skills to debunk misinformation in South Sudan, both in the mainstream media and through his work at 211 Check. Passionate about using his skills to train youth on access to accurate information and to curb hate speech in online spaces. Through 211 Check, Deng engaged government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and prominent individuals to combat the dangers of information disorder. He is currently an African Union postgraduate scholar pursuing an MSc. in Governance and Regional Integration at the Pan African University, Yaounde-Cameroon.

1. Information Disorder or Pollution
August 26, 2023
Discarding confusion: Navigating Information
Disorder in South Sudan

2. Trainer’s Bio Ghai Aketch Deng is a South Sudanese journalist, fact-
checker, and researcher. He has used his fact-checking
skills to debunk misinformation in South Sudan, both in
the mainstream media and through his work at 211 Check.
Check. Passionate about using his skills to train youth on
on access to accurate information and to curb hate speech
speech in online spaces. Through 211 Check, Deng
engaged government agencies, non-governmental
organizations, and prominent individuals to combat the
dangers of information disorder. He is currently an
African Union postgraduate scholar pursuing an MSc. in
in Governance and Regional Integration at the Pan
African University, Yaounde-Cameroon.
Ghai Aketch Deng
WhatsApp: +211922214401
Email:
ghaiaketch@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Ghai Aketch

3. Understanding
and
Navigating
Information
Disorder in
South Sudan
1. Overview of Information Disorder
2. Examples: Types of Information Disorder
3. Examples: Information Disorder
4. How Information Disorder spreads
5. Dangers of Information Disorder
5. How to spot Information Disorder
6. Credible sources of information
7. What can you do to avert information disorder.

4. Training
Objectives
By the end of this session, you
will understand;
• Information Disorder and types
• How Information Disorder is
disseminated
• Spotting Information Disorder
• Negative impacts of Information
Disorder
• Steps to take to keep in check
Information Disorder

5. Information
Disorder or
Pollution
The World is Choking on Digital
Pollution, Washington Monthly. A 2019
publication that explores Information
Disorder/Pollution.

6. Understanding Information Disorder
What is Information Disorder?
Information Disorder is the spread or
dissemination of false, misleading, or
low-quality information that can
negatively impact individuals, society,
or the overall information ecosystem.

7. Misinformation
This is when false information is shared without the intent to deceive. It
can be caused by mistakes, misunderstandings, or a lack of knowledge.
Disinformation
False information is deliberately spread in order to deceive or mislead. It
is often used to manipulate public opinion or behavior.
Malinformation
Genuine information is shared with the intent to harm someone or
institution. This can include sharing private information, or sharing
information that is intended to damage someone's reputation.
Types of Information Disorder

8. Example: Information Disorder(type)
Misinformation
 Why do you think it’s a misinformation?
November 2022
 Is the source credible?
 What is the implication?

9. Example: Information Disorder(Type)
Misinformation
November 2022

10. Example: Information Disorder(type)
Disinformation
 The information was
concocted / no bit of
truth.
 Intended to mislead and
increase traffic on the
page

11. In South Sudan, malinformation has been targeted at
institutions or prominent figures e.g. musicians.
Leaked sexually explicit images or video clips, which I
can’t attached here, are usually shared to damage the
reputation of the individuals involved. (Revenge
pornography)
Example: Information Disorder (type)
Malinformation

12. Example: Information Disorder/pollution
False or fabricated information
presented as factual news, often
intended to deceive or mislead
readers. This can include
intentionally misleading headlines,
manipulated images, or completely
invented stories.
The audio clip
does not support
the caption

13. A hoax is a trick or deception that
is intended to deceive or mislead
someone. Hoaxes can be spread
through a variety of means,
including email, social media, and
word-of-mouth- cover a wide range
of topics, including celebrities,
politics, and current events.
Example: Information Disorder/pollution

14. Sensational or misleading headlines
designed to attract clicks and
generate website traffic, often
leading to low-quality or irrelevant
content.
Clickbait aims to grab attention
rather than providing accurate or
valuable information.
Appeal to emotional curiosity
Example: Information Disorder/pollution

15. Example: Information
Disorder/pollution
Media outlets or journalists presenting information with a
subjective or skewed perspective, omitting crucial facts or
manipulating information to promote a particular agenda or
viewpoint. (Tabloids, eg. Phaw Radio FM, Sixty 4 Tribes
Press, and others)
These are some common forms of information pollution that
can distort the truth, undermine trust, and hinder the healthy
flow of accurate and reliable information in various contexts.
Misleading
or
Biased
Reporting

16. Example: Information Disorder/pollution
 Explanations that attempt to
link causes of events or
phenomena and often involve
secretive or malicious groups
controlling or manipulating
events.
• For the same
event, narrations
are always
different. Usually
full of opinions

17. How Information Disorder floods our
spaces
 Social media
 Words of mouth
 Text messages.
 Online forums (Facebook
pages: Tom Eye, Aman Akat)
radical individuals attacking
personalities or communities.
 Email
 Traditional news media
For communication to
occur, a medium of
communication is required.

18. BRIEF BREAK & REFLECTION…

19. Information Disorder Dimensions
Political information disorder
Spread of false information or rumours
about political candidates, parties, or
events with the intention to manipulate
public opinion, discredit opponents, or
influence election outcomes.
For example, spreading fabricated stories
about a candidate's criminal background to
tarnish their reputation.
The manner false information
is presented.

20. Information Disorder Dimensions
Tribal information disorder
Deliberate dissemination of false
information targeting specific tribes or
ethnic groups to fuel hatred, division, or
conflicts. This can include false claims
about attacks, historical, atrocities, or
promoting stereotypes and prejudices.

21. Information Disorder Dimensions
Parody (entertainment).
Creation and dissemination of satirical
or parody content that may be
mistaken as genuine news. This can
lead to confusion and the spread of
misinformation, especially when the
content is shared without proper
context or clarification of its satirical
nature.

22. Information Disorder Dimensions
Health Dis/mis/malinformation
Spreading false or misleading
information related to health issues,
treatments, or public health crises.
This can include promoting unproven
cures, falsely linking vaccines to
unrelated health problems, or
downplaying the severity of a disease,
leading to public health risks.

23. Information Disorder Dimensions
Financial information disorder
The spread of false or misleading
information about the economy.
Propagated through a variety of
channels, including social media, news
websites, and word-of-mouth.

24. Propagation of False Information
Social media
influencers/gurus: have
significant following
online and can influence
the public with
information they share
including fake ONE
Politicians:
Advancing political
interests by attacking
opponents with false
claims.
Foreign actors:
Some foreign
researchers might carry
out researches with
baises that present false
version of the reality.
Trolls:
Are people who deliberately spread false information
in order to upset or annoy others. Can be motivated
by factors, such as boredom, anger, or a desire to
sow discord.

25. Be skeptical of information that is sensational,
inflammatory, or otherwise seems too good to be true.
Check the source of the information. Is it a
reputable news organization or a website that you've
never heard of before?
Check for evidence to support the claims being
made. Can you find other sources that corroborate
the information?
Be aware of the biases of the source. Is the
information coming from a source that has an agenda
to promote?
How to Spot Fake Information

26. The Impacts of Information Disorder in
our society
Increased
polarization
Information disorder can contribute
to increased polarization and social
unrest. This is because it can
make it difficult for people to have
constructive conversations about
difficult issues.
People already form negative
preconceptions about each other.
Consequentially resulting to hate
and violence.

27. The impacts of Information Disorder
in our society
When people are constantly bombarded with
false information, it can erode their trust in
institutions and the media. This can make it
difficult to have open and honest
conversations about important issues.
Damage
to public
trust

28. Information disorder can be used to
influence elections and other important
decisions.
This can lead to bad decisions that are
not in the best interests of the public.
South Sudanese men holding
voting registration cards
waiting to vote during the 2011
July 9 Referendum.
Photo// NBC
Influence on elections
and decision-making
The impacts of Information
Disorder in our society

29. How to scrutinize sources
Criterion Description
I: Independence The source is not affiliated with any particular
person or organization
M: Multiple sources The source is supported by multiple sources.
V: Verification The source cites its evidence and allows for
dissenting opinions.
A/I:
Authority/Informed
sources
The source is written by experts in the field or has
been published in reputable journals.
N: Named sources The source identifies its authors, easy to cross-
check with the authors name.
The
acronym
‘IMVAIN’ is
useful in
evaluation
of online
sources of
information
The acronym IMVAIN

30. Trusted sources of information
Academic journals: Academic journals
are peer-reviewed publications that are
written by experts in a particular field.
News websites: News are usually
written by journalists who have been
trained to gather and report news
accurately.

31. Trusted sources of information
Government websites: Government
websites provide credible information.
Non-profit organizations: Non-profit
organizations are typically staffed by experts
in a particular field and are committed to
providing accurate information to the public.
Fact-checking organizations: (The 211 Check,
Africa Check, Pesa Check)

32. Averting Information Disorder
Be informed and
critical of the information
you consume.
Take steps to protect
yourself from it.
Hold social media
platforms accountable
for the spread of
dis/misinformation.
Educate people about
the dangers of
dis/misinformation.
Supporting fact-checking
organizations.
Averting
Information
Disorder

33. Averting Information Disorder
Report any
suspicious
information to the
relevant authorities
You can help by mitigating the spread of
disinformation in South Sudan and
wherever you are.
Beware of the dangers
of disinformation
Teach people
how to spot
disinformation

34. HEADS UP!!!
YOU are an ADVOCATE for change
Let’s
collaboratively
tackle the
dangers of
Information
Disorder
Help stop the spread of
dis/misinformation in South Sudan
and the global society

35. THANK YOU!
211 Check
info@211check.org | +211917298255
2023