Ashaiman Technical Institute students advised against information disorder

Students of Ashaiman Technical Institute have been cautioned against information disorder, an umbrella phrase that encapsulates the concepts of misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, mid-information, and hate speech. This is part of the series of activities the Commission has rolled out to combat the growing trend of information disorder.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, facilitating the session, highlighted how false information has dissipated the media space, including the traditional media, cautioning the students to sieve through information they chance on in the media.

“Before you consider sharing the information you receive from your friends, make sure you have established its authenticity”, Mr. Agbenu advised, warning that spreading false information, either maliciously or innocently, is against the law, and as such, culprits will be dealt with accordingly if found guilty.

Mr. Agbenu added, “if someone shares false information on social media and you are privy to the correct one, put it out there to help dilute the false one”. This according to him, is one of the measures towards curbing the menace.

Meanwhile, he spoke against giving out sensitive information, including information about oneself to strangers, admonishing the students to take cues from their instincts in order not to land them in harm’s way. He also called on them to, as a matter of urgency, share insights of the session with their family and friends, as the war against information disorder demands a collective approach.

The National Commission for Civic Education has taken note of the worrying drift towards the widespread of fake news and false information, and has hence collaborated with the French Embassy to implement sensitization activities to curtail the situation.