Online disinformation has multiple facets, and can disseminate a story that has never taken place, as are the "fake news". Among these false news, other content consists in concealing relevant information, giving different reports, misinterpreting the facts based solely on titles, texts and videos.

During the 11th session of the Binational South Nigeria Binational Commission (which was held in CAP - December 3, 2024), a wave of indignation broke out on social media.

During this 11th session, the South African president said that Nigerian businessmen and tourists could now obtain a visa (5-year-old visa at multiple entries) without having to present their passport. This measure comes, after many Nigerians lacked business trips to South Africa ; Because following the long visa request procedure, many physical passports were blocked in the South African embassies.

MDN News relayed to its X account: "Latest news: South Africa will soften the rules concerning visa requests in order to stimulate trade with Nigeria". President Ramaphosa has announced, the establishment of a simplified five -year visa, with multiple entries, intended for Nigerian tourists, and whose obligation to present a passport is no longer necessary. commercial by declaring: "We want Nigerian products to be on our stalls."

The reactions were not long overdue in the media; An X user, posted, in a tweet now deleted: "South Africa plans for Nigerian tourists to introduce a five -year visa, without having the obligation to present a passport. »»

Natasha Huckfiel D , inviting himself into the debate, replied: "People need a passport to enter any country in the world in order to control who enters the country ... But why the South African president removes this requirement?"

In this overbidding of reactions, some even went so far as to request the president's resignation, like Ngwana wa Dukes : "Ramaphosa must resign!".

In order to calm the spirits, Hulisani Martin, prompted X, the indignant commentators to watch the video in order to judge for themselves "you must learn to listen ... Listen to the video ... You will realize that you are doing a whole story for nothing! ».

A permanent rivalry source of falsified interpretations.

South Africans and Nigerians have long maintained “ an old rivalry ”. This rivalry is expressed in the fields of sport, entertainment and immigration, promoting xenophobic attacks directed against individuals and businesses.

The prejudices have contributed to many individuals to “first degree” the speech of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa developed, in 2019, an electronic visa system . This system is available in 34 countries, including Nigeria. The president's announcement means that Nigerians and other eligible countries can now obtain an electronic visa, by downloading an electronic copy of their passport. The visa once approved, will be by a simple sticker affixed to the passport; It will suffice for the owner to present his passport as soon as he arrived in South African territory.

The president also mentioned the support of South Africa so that Nigeria joined the G20, in order to strengthen economic ties between the two major states of Africa and thus reduce their mutual rivalry.

The declaration on the electronic visa was released from its context, because most of the blogs that have relayed inaccurate information, which are still based on the “click bait” strategy to obtain visibility. Some audiences only read the titles, which is very profitable for the media that practice “clicks' bait”. Given the rivalry between the two countries, emotions have played a key role in disinformation. Some users of social networks already having a preconceived idea.

In the era of online media and increasing disinformation, the public can counter disinformation by checking the facts of these media using easily accessible online tools. Google Factcheck Explorer, the reverse image search tool, the websites for verifying facts are all advantages to control videos like that of the intervention of the South African president (cited above).

It may happen that the media disseminates erroneous information; The effort must be focused on each individual in order to disseminate honest and responsible information. It is up to everyone to ensure reliable information, before pressing the "Share", "love" or "comment" button.

Charity Ani Kosisohukwu