Proceedings of The 11th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
[PDF]
Using Digital Media Literacy as a Mechanism to Prevent Fake News and Misinformation in South Africa: a Systematic Literature Review
Ndivhuwo Doctor Sundani, Thabang Jerry Masedi
ABSTRACT:
This study aims to investigate the use of digital media literacy (ML) as a mechanism to prevent fake news and misinformation in South Africa. The objectives of this study are to (1) describe the importance of digital media literacy, (2) identify causes of fake news and misinformation, and (3) imply strategies for using digital media literacy as a mechanism to prevent fake news and misinformation. Social exchange theory was deemed relevant to this study because it places more focus on the audience, instead of the actual message itself by asking what people do with media rather than what media does to people. To accomplish constructed objectives of this study, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted. In this regard, the authors carried out the “Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” guidelines as a research methodology. The data were retrieved from Google Scholar, EbscoHost, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, and Scopus and were restricted from 2002 to 2022. Purposive sampling was employed to select the relevant articles and thematic analysis was used to analyse data. This study revealed that fake news is one of the greatest threats to freedom of expression and therefore, government and relevant organisations should impose more regulations on digital technologies.
keywords: communication, digital technologies, internet, media literacy, social media