About the Project

Search for Common Ground (Search) with Funding from European Union is implementing a rapid-response “Working Together Against Corona” project to support an effective, conflict-sensitive response to the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that prevents further deterioration of social cohesion in fragile contexts in Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria).

PURPOSE OF RUMOR TRACKING

Search for Common Ground is tracking rumors and misinformation that are being disseminated across various channels, to help tailor our media products and campaign strategy and strengthen trusted communication channels and providers, thus, mitigate rumors and misinformation.

WHY IS REAL-TIME RUMOUR MANAGEMENT ESSENTIAL?

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated the spread of misinformation at a time when facts are crucial and lifesaving. While some rumours are harmless, others create a significant public health risk and community conflict by stigmatizing protective practices or reducing trust in authorities, health providers and setting up a rumor management system enables evidence-based and effective response by better understanding the misinformation and rumors circulating in Nigeria.

There are two sub-groups of rumours, which are defined by the intent of the people spreading them:

1. Misinformation is incorrect information spread by people without the intent to mislead and deceive people

2. Disinformation is incorrect information spread by people in order to deceive or manipulate others, an example of this is ‘fake news’, which is disinformation disguised as news, often spread for political or economic gain.