‘Think Before You Share’ Campaign Addresses Misinformation Risks Among Students

Nathan Gadugah, an editor at Dubawa Ghana, has issued a stark warning about the dangers of sharing unverified information online, emphasizing that “the quality of information people receive determines the quality of decisions they make.”

Speaking at a University of Ghana seminar as part of the “Think Before You Share” campaign, Gadugah addressed the critical need for media literacy in an era where false information spreads rapidly through social networks.

“When you receive quality information, you make quality decisions. When you receive poor information, you make poor decisions,” Gadugah told attendees at the event designed to equip students with practical skills to identify and counter false information online.

The media literacy advocacy initiative specifically targets university students, who are among the most active social media users and often serve as information gatekeepers within their communities. The campaign aims to promote critical thinking and responsible social media use among young people, who frequently encounter misleading content.

According to Gadugah, modern society has entered an unprecedented information age where digital platforms have democratized access to news and information. While this accessibility creates opportunities for people to stay informed, it simultaneously facilitates the rapid spread of false and misleading content.

“In the current information age, people depend heavily on information to make decisions about governance, business, relationships, and everyday activities,” Gadugah explained. “When such information is false or misleading, it can result in poor decisions and harmful consequences.”

The dangers extend beyond personal decision-making. Gadugah highlighted how persistent exposure to false information erodes public trust in vital institutions. When misleading narratives about electoral bodies, government agencies, and media organizations circulate repeatedly, citizens may lose confidence in these essential pillars of democratic society.

This institutional distrust represents a particular concern in regions like Ghana, where democratic institutions continue to develop and where social cohesion depends on shared trust in public systems.

The growing prevalence of misinformation globally has spurred the development of fact-checking organizations like Dubawa, which operates across several West African countries. These organizations systematically verify claims circulating in traditional and social media, publishing evidence-based findings to correct false narratives.

Media literacy experts note that the challenge of misinformation is particularly acute in regions experiencing rapid digital adoption without corresponding growth in critical media education. As smartphone penetration increases across Africa, millions of new internet users encounter online content without the tools to evaluate its credibility.

The University of Ghana’s initiative represents part of a broader movement across educational institutions worldwide to incorporate media literacy into academic curricula. Research indicates that young people equipped with basic fact-checking skills are significantly less likely to share unverified information online.

The “Think Before You Share” campaign distinguishes between different types of false information: misinformation (false information shared without malicious intent), disinformation (deliberately false information shared to cause harm), and malinformation (factual information shared out of context to cause harm).

Media literacy advocates emphasize that addressing the misinformation challenge requires a multi-pronged approach involving educational institutions, media organizations, technology companies, and individual users taking responsibility for the content they consume and share.

As social media platforms continue evolving and artificial intelligence makes fabricated content increasingly sophisticated, initiatives like the University of Ghana’s campaign represent crucial interventions in the ongoing battle against information disorder.