WikiIndaba 2024/Proposal/ How to Tackle Mis/Disinformation on African Content on Wikipedia


Indaba 2024 Logo ID : How to Tackle Mis/Disinformation on African Content on Wikipedia
Author(s): Bukola James, PESACHECK Username(s): Bukky658 Session type: Workshop
Affiliation: African Wikipedian Alliance Session track(s): Research , Education & Technology
Abstract:

This workshop will address the growing concern of misinformation and disinformation about African content on Wikimedia platforms, with a specific focus on Wikipedia. Participants will learn effective strategies for fact-checking, source identification, and misinformation detection through practical demonstrations and collaborative exercises. Techniques covered will include reverse image search methods such as Yandex, the InVID WeVerify Chrome extension, and Google Reverse Image Search. Additionally, participants will learn how to use Hive for fact-checking AI-generated content and ClaimBuster for claim detection and automated fact-checking.

We will explore open source intelligence (OSINT) tools for building shared threat-actor databases and examine how extremist groups use sophisticated digital strategies to evade detection. By exposing these practices, the session aims to equip the African Wikimedia community with the skills and tools necessary to ensure the accuracy and reliability of content, thereby enhancing the integrity of information available on the platform.

Audience : medium
Mode: In-person
Special requirements: Translation
How will this session be beneficial for the communities in the region?

The session will empower African Wikimedians with essential skills to combat misinformation and improve content quality. Participants will gain practical knowledge on fact-checking techniques, source identification methods, and the use of tools to map and address disinformation networks. By learning to identify and correct false information, participants will make more trustworthy and credible contributions to the Wikimedia projects. This, in turn, will support informed decision-making and knowledge sharing across the region. The session will also provide insights into how commercial disinformation campaigns are orchestrated and offer civic watchdogs the tools to detect and counter info-manipulation in their communities.

Interested participants

(register below and ask your questions now to the session organiser)