Ruto raises concern over fake news about government’s policies
Ruto raises concern over fake news about government's policies
President William Ruto has underscored the consequences of fake news about the government’s policies to Kenyans especially at a time when public trust in institutions is in question.
Speaking at the National Defence University in Lanet, Nakuru County on Friday, the president said that misinformation and disinformation tend to reach more people than the truth, hence affecting the public’s perception about the government.
He added that institutions such as family, church and the society at large play an important role in curbing the spread of fake news.
“There is an avalanche of information. As I said yesterday, because of different spaces of available information, it is easier to educate, entertain the public. Equally, it is easier to misinform, disinform the public. Fake news can travel miles before you know what the truth is,” the president noted.
“What is the place of fake news of social media and the advent of misinformation, disinformation and what effect it has on public understanding and governance and public trust on institutions that are supposed to be responsible for governance?” he posed.
He also called upon parents to probe the moral upbringing of the youths, citing the recent suicide and femicide cases.
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“My assignment is to examine for us in the matters relating to our young people, what is the place of parents, family, society or religion in bringing a morally upright patriotic citizenry so that we can better understand the breakdown that leads to young people committing femicide,” he noted.
“You hear of incidents of maisha ni yangu, shughulika na yako, where does that leave family, society, community, religion, tradition and culture?”
Due to the explosion of information through social media, the State has been fighting an uphill battle to stay ahead of the curve in providing information regarding its policies.
This played out during the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill 2024 following the widespread disaffection from the youth who lamented about the hike in taxes amid a tough economy.
Despite the bill’s removal, the president said that the Finance bill was a victim of online propaganda.
“I admit that maybe we didn’t do as much communication as we should have and that is a regret I have admitted. But I am here to listen,” the president said during an X-Space engagement with Kenyans in July 2024.
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