By Kei Emmanuel Duku
A new generation of young journalists in Juba is deploying advanced digital tools and artificial intelligence to combat a growing wave of misinformation that experts warn has become a top-tier danger to the world. Under the Clarity Desk’s election-fact-checking initiative, five fellows are undergoing intensive mentorship to secure the country’s digital space as digital literacy remains low across South Sudan.
The scale of the crisis is significant as research from the 2024 Global Index indicating that misinformation is the number two danger to the world. Jibi Moses, the project manager for Clarity Desk, noted that regional research by CIPESA found 41 percent of content in South Sudan and East Africa is littered with misinformation.
Moses emphasized the urgency of the training, stating that misinformation is prevalent among South Sudanese. “Just only one click may cause a village to get burned,” Moses warned. “They should be very careful on whatever they are sharing and know that it has an impact in the community where we live in.”
To combat these risks, the fellowship focuses on identifying sophisticated AI-generated content. Martin Mawut, a Fact-checker and Social Media Manager at Clarity Desk, explained that identifying fake news requires critical self-analysis before using digital tools. “AI-generated images look so smooth, there are no pores, scars on the skin,” Mawut observed.
He instructed fellows to examine physical details like fingers, noses, and backgrounds for deformities or inconsistencies. Stating that tools such as “Isitaiornot” fact checking tool and “Hive,” a Chrome extension are capable of debunking AI-generated images, text, and videos.
He urged the public to remain vigilant as digital literacy is very low in South Sudan, leading many to consume false information online. “Remain skeptical,” Mawut stated. “Once you come across the claim, first understand the impact of it, what is it talking about, and what will be the impact of it when it is left un-fact-checked.”
The initiative, organized by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan with support from AfricTivistes and the Digital Democracy Initiative, has already begun impacting local newsrooms.
The training has provided immediate practical value for working journalists like Kiden Naomi Joseph of City FM. Naomi, a fellow with the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan, joined the program to master tools for debunking disinformation on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
She noted that political misinformation is particularly rampant on Facebook, creating a toxic social media space. Naomi highlighted that the fellowship also covered how to find reliable sources for health reporting and how to edit articles on Wikipedia.
For other fellows, such as Ajah Jennifer, the initiative is a proactive step toward protecting the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Jennifer joined the Young Journalists Media Integrity Fellowship in January to help educate the community on identifying misinformation before it spearheads further issues.
She noted that the rush to be first to report often allows misinformation to thrive. “That mindset of fast, being able to break the news fast, it’s partly what allows misinformation to thrive,” Jennifer explained, adding that journalists must resist pressure to ensure information is true. “If you are rushing to give out wrong information, what’s the difference from not giving information?”
She however reflected on her past challenges where, as an amateur, she would mistakenly pursue stories that turned out to be false. “I have improved myself,” Jennifer said. “Instead of just rushing and spearheading that I’m going to be the first to write this story, I can be able to first calm down and try to understand, is this actually right information?”
Currently comfortable using platforms like LinkedIn, X formerly twitter, and Facebook, Jennifer aims to build herself into a platform where people can rely on her as a credible source.
The fellowship, which concludes in March, has also introduced solution journalism to show that news does not always have to be depressing. Jennifer noted that skills like geolocation the ability to verify where a photo was taken and AI detection have been game changers for her day-to-day life.