Journal article
Media Literacy and Fact-Checking as Proactive and Reactive Responses to Misinformation in Kenya and Senegal
African journalism studies, Vol.47(1), pp.1-18
2026
DOI: 10.1080/23743670.2024.2401782
Abstract
This study examines how media professionals in Kenya and Senegal respond to misinformation using fact-checking and media literacy strategies and how they perceive these strategies for mitigating the spread of misinformation. We conducted 42 semi-structured in-depth interviews with people belonging to one of the following three groups: individuals employed in the news media such as journalists, reporters and editors; individuals working for either independent fact-checking organisations or doing fact-checking within the newsrooms of online and offline media; and individuals engaged in media policymaking. Findings indicate that media professionals in both Senegal and Kenya employ fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from primary, secondary and expert sources and verifying images and videos using reverse image search as reactive strategies. Consistent with inoculation theory, participants also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to equip media producers and consumers with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with media content. Lastly, journalists, fact-checkers and policymakers lauded fact-checking and media literacy as effective strategies for mitigating the spread of misinformation, suggesting that both strategies should be used simultaneously to empower both media consumers and producers against misinformation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Media Literacy and Fact-Checking as Proactive and Reactive Responses to Misinformation in Kenya and Senegal
- Creators
- Frankline Matanji - University of IowaMelissa Tully - University of IowaKevin C. Mudavadi - Indiana University BloomingtonLayire Diop - Francis Marion UniversityDani Madrid-Morales - University of Sheffield
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- African journalism studies, Vol.47(1), pp.1-18
- DOI
- 10.1080/23743670.2024.2401782
- ISSN
- 2374-3670
- eISSN
- 2374-3689
- Publisher
- ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
- Grant note
This work was supported by the Waterhouse Institute and the University of Houston.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 09/26/2024
- Date published
- 2026
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Center for Social Science Innovation; Injury Prevention Research Center; School of Journalism and Mass Communication
- Record Identifier
- 9984721143902771
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