Fake Images and Disinformation on Social Networking Sites: Case Study of Kenya's 2017 General Election

Abstract

This study investigated the dissemination of fake images on social networking sites during the 2017 electioneering period in Kenya and the resulting misinformation and disinformation. To achieve this purpose, the study identified how fake images disseminated on Facebook and Twitter were framed, represented, and interpreted. The research design was descriptive and involved both qualitative and quantitative methods. Facebook and Twitter were purposively selected due to their prominence among Kenyans and their extensive use of text and images. The research sampled 560 fake images disseminated on Facebook and Twitter between August 1, 2017 and October 30, 2017 using Google search engine and Foto Forensics software. The researcher further sourced for images from Kenyan communication and media regulatory agencies including the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) mandated to monitor both traditional and digital media platforms. Data was collected through direct observation and textual analysis and was analyzed contextually. The study found out the following; More fake images were published on Facebook (370) compared to 190 published on Twitter. Of the images published on Facebook within the same period, only 30% were authentic compared to 55% authentic images published on Twitter. This suggested that Facebook was the preferred social media platform for publishing fake images during electioneering periods in Kenya. Second, there was 90% use of fake images on Twitter between August and October 2017, against Facebook’s 80%. Furthermore, 70% of the fake images were published on Facebook, compared to 60% published on Twitter. Last, 47% of the sampled fake images on Facebook had been contextually misrepresented, compared to 30% of the images on Twitter. The study concluded that a lot of images shared on social networking sites in Kenya especially during electioneering period were fake, sensationalised, and thus amounted to a discourse of disinformation. This study recommends a necessity to verify images found online before consuming, storing or sharing them especially on social networking sites. Sharing of wrong information deliberately or unknowingly is in contrary to ethical information dissemination practices.