It’s an Infodemic!

How do we separate fact from fiction? What is the best way to tackle misinformation about the virus? In our seventh episode with African Arguments, Ambassador Dawn Liberi (Former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi), Lee Mwiti (Africa Check), and Antonio Zappulla (Thomson Reuters Foundation) join host Judd Devermont to discuss the rapid spread of misinformation in Africa and the dangerous implications of government crackdowns on the press during the pandemic. Guests also examine Burundi’s turbulent transition following the death of President Nkurunziza and Kenya’s faltering economy. A note to our listeners: this episode was recorded on June 12th and some of the fast-moving developments in Burundi may not be reflected in the episode.

Background Reading:

• Kenya Tops Angola as Sub-Saharan Africa’s No. 3 Economy - Bloomberg
• 3 African leaders: The smart step to fight the virus - CNN
• Egypt forces Guardian journalist to leave after coronavirus story - The Guardian
• FACTSHEET: Coronavirus and the Covid-19 outbreak - Africa Check
• What's Crap on WhatsApp? - Africa Check and others