How Africa and Europe can work together to tackle disinformation and protect human rights in the digital age.

From the eyes of an upcoming journalist studying mass communication,disinformation has been a vicious  problem  threatening the sanctity of the profession.In this digital age, the profession has become lethargic because misinformation and disinformation has become more prevalent due to technology which has paved way for various individuals who can disseminate information as they wish .

Disinformation is fake news, intentionally created to mislead and manipulate people. It can be spread through various platforms and has become a major issue in today's digital age.Dissemination of information in the 21st century encompasses the use of various mobile technologies that will enable swift transfer and feedback ,this simply means that While disinformation is not new, the divergence of media platforms and the speed with which information travels nowadays has made it much more frequent. Information can now be dispersed through a multitude of mediums which are advanced yet affordable. All you need is a smartphone and internet connection to circulate manufactured stories

The distorting and distracting impact of digital disinformation is making it increasingly difficult for the  public to distinguish between what is legitimate or fake.

There are a variety of ways that Africa and Europe can work together to curb the menace of disinformation while still protecting human rights in this digital age .

Firstly , the concept of fact checking is underrated as every individual is likely to be gullible to fake news . Websites and apps can be developed to help check the accuracy of a particular information. Just like how google has a search engine and provides information about a certain person, place or event . The website or app can be structured to carry information from reliable sources when it is searched for . This app can also be used to report false information to help prevent its spread.

Secondly, The youths are at the fore of digital dissemination but many failed to understand the ethics and rules of disseminating information especially sensitive information like that of politics . Even thought not every individual can go through four years of education to attain knowledge on journalism , the African and European governments can organize programs that can better educate and sensitize them more on this aspect and make them more informed on the dangers of disinformation and the consequences involved. The can help protect not just the individuals themselves but also the one who are prone to being subjects of disinformation and fake news therefore leading to the protection of human rights .

Thirdly , the idea of gatekeeping should be seriously incorporated into citizen journalism  because everybody has a chance to publish there is more likelihood of disinformation. In that case , a middle man should exist in form of a law that can limit the amount of information that is disseminated from unauthorised websites on the internet, a bill should be passed by the African and European governments 

In conclusion,freedom to talk is there but there is no freedom after speech . Verification and consideration of people’s feelings ,expression of oneself to the detriment of others is a huge problem faced in the society in this digital age .

Tackling disinformation is a collective effort and we can work together to create a more informed and trustworthy digital world.