The impact of social media on elections in Namibia
How to spot misinformation
Social media platform are becoming more influential in elections globally, including Namibia this week.
Social media platforms are increasingly shaping political discourse and mobilising young Namibian voters.
According to Datareportal, a website sharing internet usage statistics, Namibia has seen a significant rise in internet penetration and social media use since 2019. This is largely driven by affordable mobile data and smartphone accessibility.
Over 700 000 Namibian social media users have been recorded this year, up from 670 000 in 2019, according to Datareportal.
This trend has empowered young voters to engage in political discussions, participate in campaigns and hold politicians accountable in unprecedented ways, according to Dr Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka.
Shihomeka, a senior lecturer at the University of Namibia specialising in social media and youth politics, has extensively studied this phenomenon.
In his 2019 dissertation, ‘Citizen Engagement: Politics and Digital Media in Namibia’, he highlighted the potential of digital platforms to enhance political participation among Namibian youth, despite a global decline in civic engagement.
During the run-up to Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections, political entities have increasingly recognised this shift and utilised social media to connect with younger demographics.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has utilised platforms like Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information and engage with younger voters. This strategy has contributed to the registration of over 200 000 new voters, indicating a heightened interest among the youth in electoral processes.
A 2024 report from the Namibia Economist revealed that the number of Namibians actively engaging with political content online has doubled compared to the 2019 general elections.
Politicians now rely heavily on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to communicate their policies and connect with voters.
This shift has not only amplified transparency but also reduced campaign costs, making elections more inclusive. However, challenges persist.
Proliferation of Misinformation
Some experts argue that while social media increases visibility, it also increases misinformation and polarisation.
The most common way of spreading misinformation on social media, according to Fact Check Namibia, is through the impersonation of real news outlets.
Fact Check Namibia notes the rise of accounts on various social media websites, especially Instagram and Facebook, that copy the templates of well-known media news organisations. This content is designed to fool the public into believing a lie because it appears to be presented by an authoritative source.
However, there are a few ways to assess the quality of information posted on social media.
Check if the post is actually from the organisation it represents by cross referencing the news outlet’s official social media platforms, number of followers and recent posts.
Carefully consider the language used in the post. Fact Check Namibia notes that: "provocative, emotive headlines and language" is often used in fake news posts.
Additionally, check if other reputable sources support the same claim.
Another hallmark of misinformation, or at the very least sensationalised information, is the ‘forwarded many times’ marker on WhatsApp messages.
AI-Generated Photos
Artificial intelligence (AI) has also played a prominent role in Namibia’s national elections. In April this year, a fake video of American president Joe Biden endorsing the ruling party’s candidate was widely circulated.
According to AI scientist Lance Elliot, these fake videos can erode public trust in news organisations. They also make it increasingly challenging to determine what is real or fake news.
Unfortunately, it is becoming more difficult to detect fake videos and photos, according to Elliot, as there is no foolproof way to spot AI-generated content.
The best strategy is to not to take anything you see on the internet at face value, whether it’s about the elections or not.
According to Datareportal, a website sharing internet usage statistics, Namibia has seen a significant rise in internet penetration and social media use since 2019. This is largely driven by affordable mobile data and smartphone accessibility.
Over 700 000 Namibian social media users have been recorded this year, up from 670 000 in 2019, according to Datareportal.
This trend has empowered young voters to engage in political discussions, participate in campaigns and hold politicians accountable in unprecedented ways, according to Dr Sadrag Panduleni Shihomeka.
Shihomeka, a senior lecturer at the University of Namibia specialising in social media and youth politics, has extensively studied this phenomenon.
In his 2019 dissertation, ‘Citizen Engagement: Politics and Digital Media in Namibia’, he highlighted the potential of digital platforms to enhance political participation among Namibian youth, despite a global decline in civic engagement.
During the run-up to Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections, political entities have increasingly recognised this shift and utilised social media to connect with younger demographics.
The Electoral Commission of Namibia has utilised platforms like Facebook and Twitter to disseminate information and engage with younger voters. This strategy has contributed to the registration of over 200 000 new voters, indicating a heightened interest among the youth in electoral processes.
A 2024 report from the Namibia Economist revealed that the number of Namibians actively engaging with political content online has doubled compared to the 2019 general elections.
Politicians now rely heavily on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram to communicate their policies and connect with voters.
This shift has not only amplified transparency but also reduced campaign costs, making elections more inclusive. However, challenges persist.
Proliferation of Misinformation
Some experts argue that while social media increases visibility, it also increases misinformation and polarisation.
The most common way of spreading misinformation on social media, according to Fact Check Namibia, is through the impersonation of real news outlets.
Fact Check Namibia notes the rise of accounts on various social media websites, especially Instagram and Facebook, that copy the templates of well-known media news organisations. This content is designed to fool the public into believing a lie because it appears to be presented by an authoritative source.
However, there are a few ways to assess the quality of information posted on social media.
Check if the post is actually from the organisation it represents by cross referencing the news outlet’s official social media platforms, number of followers and recent posts.
Carefully consider the language used in the post. Fact Check Namibia notes that: "provocative, emotive headlines and language" is often used in fake news posts.
Additionally, check if other reputable sources support the same claim.
Another hallmark of misinformation, or at the very least sensationalised information, is the ‘forwarded many times’ marker on WhatsApp messages.
AI-Generated Photos
Artificial intelligence (AI) has also played a prominent role in Namibia’s national elections. In April this year, a fake video of American president Joe Biden endorsing the ruling party’s candidate was widely circulated.
According to AI scientist Lance Elliot, these fake videos can erode public trust in news organisations. They also make it increasingly challenging to determine what is real or fake news.
Unfortunately, it is becoming more difficult to detect fake videos and photos, according to Elliot, as there is no foolproof way to spot AI-generated content.
The best strategy is to not to take anything you see on the internet at face value, whether it’s about the elections or not.
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