FAKE, MISLEADING AND FALSE INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET.

THE NEED TO VERIFY, DOUBLE CHECK OR MULTI CHECK BEFORE POSTING HOAXES.

My advise

1. When you see a sensational post that borders on the following issues.

A) Generating Fear in people about a product health implications.

For example the fake plastic rice story or Chinese are selling human parts.

B) Medical information on the benefit or harm of a particular item be it natural or manufactured.

C) Political statements that appear smart by a prominent political icon or public figure. Examples like Mugabe, Trump, Obama, Buhari etc.

D) If it is too good to be true or too bad to be true. Most likely not true.

E) If it has been circulating for a long time and the story is the same, for example ‘ Pray for 20 Christians in Afghanistan who are to be executed. It may or not be true but they are usually outdated news. Most often the Author refuse to put the specific date, month or year to make it appear as if it is futuristic or current.

F. Posts that malign or denigrate individuals or tribe, nations or communities. For instance Donald Trump claims Nigerians are criminals and their leaders thieves hence they should be deported or prevented from coming to the USA.

G. Photoshopped pictures of political or public icons making some political or religious statements.
Eg. Mrs Obama and bring back our girls or Trump and bring back God to the white house.

H) Posts from partisan political or tribal blogs or websites eg Igberetv which is s surrogate for Biafra agitators, abacityblog is another pro Biafra website with false or misleading news feeds.

WHAT TO DO WITH SUCH POSTS

1.Don’t be in a hurry to circulate such information to avoid being a busy body or peddlers of lies which is a sin before God.

2. Inbox the Author of the post and ask for credible evidence, links and facts.

3. Where the post is a medical issue, consult a Professional Physician or relevant authority.

4. Type the title of the post in s search engine like Google, Yahoo, MSN, Bing etc and place hoax or spam at the back.

For example “Donald Trump plan to arrest Buhari hoax”

5. Go to Snopes.com which is a reliable website that busts myths, scams and hoaxes. Type the particular topic in their search box.