Penplusbytes Launches Disinformation Detection Platform to Monitor and Combat Election Disinformation
Ghana is set to go to the polls on December 7, 2024. A distinctive feature of this year’s electioneering period is the growing concern over the spread of disinformation.
Key institutions such as the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority have already warned about the dangers of disinformation ahead of the December polls, emphasizing that the spread of falsehoods could disrupt peace and security.
The proliferation of digital and social media platforms has also amplified the spread of disinformation and biased reporting, making it increasingly challenging for voters to discern credible information from false news. If left unaddressed, this issue could undermine Ghanaians ability to make informed electoral choices and ultimately undermine our democracy.
In response to this critical need, Penplusbytes under the Action for a Holistic Electoral Approach for Democracy (AHEAD) Africa Project, is implementing the Utilizing Digital Technology and Network Analysis to Combat Disinformation in the 2024 Ghana Election (DisinformShield: Defending Democracy) project, an innovative intervention to combat disinformation around elections and strengthen democratic processes before, during, and after the December 7 polls.
At the core of this project is the deployment of the Disinformation Detection Platform (DDP), an AI-enabled digital tool designed to monitor and analyze disinformation using keywords in real-time; ensuring accurate reporting and promoting accountability throughout the electoral process.
According to Mr. Jerry Sam, Executive Director of Penplusbytes, this project builds on Penplusbytes’ track record of leveraging technology to monitor elections under our African Elections Project (AEP).
“During Ghana’s 2020 elections, Penplusbytes deployed its All Media Tracking Centre (AMTC), an upgraded version of the Social Media Tracking Centre (SMTC) used in 2012 and 2016. Using the ‘Tipahya’ software, the AMTC monitored traditional and social media, capturing election incidents in real-time. This year, we aim to go a step further by deploying a Disinformation Detection Platform equipped with AI and machine learning capabilities for real-time monitoring and analysis of election-related disinformation across multiple social media platforms and traditional media outlets,” he stated.
The platform will be deployed alongside the incident desk of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) Ghana where issues flagged from it will be passed on to the appropriate authorities via the CODEO communications channel for action to be taken.
Other project activities include an advocacy campaign based on findings from the collated elections disinformation reports including recommendations to key actors, to push for electoral reforms.
The Utilizing Digital Technology and Network Analysis to Combat Disinformation in the 2024 Ghana Election project under the AHEAD Africa project co-funded by the European Union is designed to foster effective partnerships with Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and media outlets, ensuring a coordinated effort in addressing electoral integrity issues and promoting credible elections.
