By GABRIELLE LYNCHMore by this AuthorThe problem of ‘fake news’ hit the headlines this week after leaflets, posters and a mock front page of the Daily Nation circulated in Busia County. Nevertheless, many ordinary citizens believe what they read and hear, especially when it comes from sources that they trust. People are also more likely to believe rumours when they are repeated, which makes social media particularly problematic. BELIEVEABILITYThis is evident from the recent production of the fake front cover of the Nation, but also from interviews with activists in different parts of the country. In this way, one activist recently explained to me how he and his colleagues had at least six Facebook accounts, each with fake names and pictures, which they used to spread rumours.

Source: Daily Nation April 14, 2017 20:37 UTC