About 64.4% of Ghanaians Encourage Spreading of Fake News

A recent study by the African Center for Quality Journalism and Research paints a concerning picture of the prevalence and acceptance of fake news in Ghana. The “Disinformation Status Report of Ghana,” compiled from a two-month nationwide survey (October-November 2024) involving 2,000 respondents, reveals a troubling lack of proactive engagement in combating false information.

The research found that a significant 64.4% of Ghanaians “ignore” fake news, choosing not to protest or warn others when encountering false information in the media. While 89.2% of respondents reported encountering fake news, their responses to such encounters were passive: 35.6% commented on the false stories, 19.7% reported them, and a mere 7.6% shared their concerns with a friend. This indicates a widespread passivity in the face of disinformation.

The study also explored how Ghanaians identify fake news. The most common methods were checking credible websites (68.2%), conducting Google searches (19.7%), and asking friends (6.8%), highlighting a reliance on external verification rather than inherent critical thinking. A notable 5.3% expressed uncertainty about identifying fake news.

Television emerged as the most trusted news source (37.4%), followed closely by online news websites (26.7%) and social media (26%). Newspapers garnered 6.1% trust, while a mere 3.1% trusted information from family and friends. Radio was the least trusted source, receiving only 0.8% of responses.

The study, aimed at understanding the threat of disinformation to Ghana’s 2024 General Election, found that 94.6% of respondents were registered voters (including 11.4% first-time voters). The sample was predominantly male (71.2%), with 28% female respondents and 0.8% declining to disclose their gender.

The findings underscore a critical need for enhanced media literacy programs and a more active citizenry to combat the spread of misinformation in Ghana. The passive approach of a significant portion of the population creates a fertile ground for disinformation campaigns, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue before the upcoming elections.