A recent study by the African Center for Quality Journalism and Research reveals that 64.4% of Ghanaians ignore fake news in the media, raising concerns about disinformation ahead of Ghana’s 2024 elections.
The findings, part of the Disinformation Status Report of Ghana conducted between October and November 2024, show that while 89.2% of respondents encountered fake news, only 35.6% commented on false stories, 19.7% reported them, and 7.6% shared them with friends. The majority, however, did nothing to counter or address the spread of misinformation.
When asked how they identified fake news, 68.2% relied on credible websites, 19.7% conducted Google searches, 6.8% asked friends, and 5.3% were uncertain. The study also ranked trusted news sources, with television leading at 37.4%, followed by online news platforms (26.7%) and social media (26%). Surprisingly, radio ranked the lowest at 0.8%.
The research aimed to assess voter awareness of disinformation campaigns and strategies to combat fake news, a critical issue as Ghana prepares for its 2024 General Election. Of the 2,000 participants, 94.6% were registered voters, with 11.4% being first-timers.
The African Center for Quality Journalism and Research, a non-profit think tank, hopes the findings will drive efforts to combat disinformation, promote public accountability, and protect the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.