Story Bandia: A trend analysis for mis/disinformation. The forum was held on 6th December 2023 at Safari Club Hotel from 0800hrs to 1300hrs. Media monitoring is a key thematic area applied by the Election Observation Group (ELOG) to ensure that the media adheres to ethical practices while covering electoral-related issues. The Story Bandia trend analysis report represents a significant milestone in ELOG’s ongoing efforts to deter the spread of hate speech, misinformation and disinformation in the media. The findings and insights presented in the report underscore the critical importance of addressing hate speech, misinformation and disinformation in the media during the election period.

MEETING OUTCOMES

The participants were sensitized to the emerging issues affecting recession in project democracy. Some of them include having populist leaders, which leads to non-transformative leadership, electoral nullification, misinformation and disinformation propaganda, the emergence of AI and how it affects the political environment, and the emergence of electoral technology.
We were also enlightened on the media monitoring findings pre and post-elections and the recommendations. The media coverage of electoral thematic areas includes electoral reforms, political party activities, IEBC activities, participation of SIGs, petitions and electoral/political violence.
The participants were also sensitized to the emergence of AI, its impact on electoral processes, and the different documents that should be looked into to salvage such situations. They include the National ICT Policy, Kenya National Digital Masterplan 2022-2032 and the Data Protection Act.
We also looked into the different types of broadcasting. They include public broadcasting, which the government mainly does -Kenya Broadcasting Channel (KBC) -and community broadcasting, which is usually done by the community for the community in a language that the community resonates with, e.g. sheng and commercial broadcasting, which privatised institutions do.
The Baraza Media Lab mentioned a program they’ve created called the Fumbua program. It ensures information integrity in digital platforms is upheld by training community journalists on fact-checking.
Policymaking was mentioned as one of the ways to protect data. Engaging with relevant bodies both locally and globally, encouraging digital literacy, investing in infrastructure at the global south for facilitating AI, creating regulations that respond to different data sets like profiling, data privacy and data security and holding accountable and transparent conversations.
Participants were also sensitized on social media platforms and how they have been used to spread hate speech and mis/disinform people in matters to do with elections. During research, it was noted that social media, especially Twitter, spread the highest percentage of propaganda and mis/disinformation.
The people’s aspect and role in information dissemination were also discussed. How aware are people when it comes to social media? Does regulating social media platforms affect people’s freedom of expression? Also, to what extent are people allowed to express themselves? Also, when it comes to people's behavioural analogy, how do we promote inclusivity online? Encouraging media information literacy and promoting multilingualism in tech.
It is said that 18% of the moderation of content budget by meta is used to regulate data information worldwide. With the current state of mis/disinformation going on, it is important that this budget be increased and the moderation policies revisited to promote a safe online environment.

The following were key takeaway points:

Information verification is essential to spread the correct information.
 Fact-checking before the publication of information by journalists and media houses.
Training journalists on news fact-checking and on how to pass information during elections.
The public should be educated on digital literacy.
More collaboration by stakeholders is needed to make sound policies and reforms to protect the online space.
Use of tech and making it multilingual.
Re-evaluate media policies and scale up on the regulations that are already working.