Social media has come out as the top information source Nigerians, Kenyans and South Africans use for news on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
This is insight from GeoPoll, which conducted a survey via SMS in SA, Kenya and Nigeria, to determine information on awareness and perceptions of coronavirus as it spreads in Sub-Saharan Africa.
South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria have all reported cases of the deadly virus, with SA reporting the most cases so far. The country currently has 202 confirmed cases.
The World Health Organisation has declared coronavirus a pandemic, as the rate of infections across the globe continues to soar.
GeoPoll deployed the SMS survey from 10 to 13 March in the three countries, examining awareness levels, primary information sources, knowledge of how to prevent the virus, and levels of worry.The study had a total sample size of 1 350 (450 per country).
Forty-seven percent of the survey respondents revealed social media is the most common source of information on coronavirus, followed by TV and radio.
It states: “A large percent, 75%, said they had seen information on WhatsApp regarding coronavirus, and there was scepticism around this information, with 66% rating it ‘somewhat truthful’ compared to 20% who thought information seen on WhatsApp was ‘completely truthful’.
“The response to the local media, international media and government communications surrounding coronavirus was generally positive, with global media being given the highest scores in each country on their effective communication of the disease.”
This, however, comes as the South African government has warned against the spread of digital misinformation as it tries to curb the spread of the disease in the country.
This week, government announced that spreading fake news or disinformation about coronavirus is a punishable offence.
It said: “Any person who publishes any statement, through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive any other person about COVID-19, the infection of any person or any measure taken by the state to address the virus – commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.”