Abstract:

The spread of false information is a significant obstacle to the media's credibility and trust in the public in Angola, where state-controlled media has traditionally been dominant and digital platforms are rapidly becoming more prevalent. This research investigates the Angolan audience's perception and recognition of misinformation in traditional and digital media by analyzing data from three focus groups (N = 21) held in Luanda. The results show a general lack of trust in government-run mainstream media, which is frequently accused of being politically biased and lacking openness, and an increasing dependence on digital channels like WhatsApp and Facebook. Although appreciated for offering different viewpoints, these platforms also serve as significant channels for spreading false information, intensifying the complex issues media users encounter (Wasserman & Madrid-Morales, 2019).

Participants discussed informal methods for recognizing disinformation, such as checking various sources, seeking advice from reliable networks, and comparing personal observations with media storylines. In African media studies, community networks are often used informally for fact-checking when institutionalized tools are lacking, as seen in broader trends (Wasserman, 2020). Nevertheless, the absence of structured assistance for media literacy in Angola hinders the success of these approaches, making audiences susceptible to political manipulation and unverified online misinformation.

This paper places the Angolan experience in the broader global discussions on disinformation and media literacy, highlighting the importance of educational interventions specific to the local circumstances. Educational initiatives, whether formal (within schools and universities) or informal (through community workshops), play a vital role in promoting critical thinking and providing individuals with the skills needed to navigate the challenges of misinformation (Potter, 2018; Nyabola, 2018). This study adds to the expanding research on African audiences and their interaction with hybrid media environments by filling media literacy gaps and including localized methods. It emphasizes the need to develop resilient and well-informed audiences, able to critically evaluate the credibility of information. It highlights the importance of fostering resilient and informed audiences capable of critically assessing the credibility of information in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Keywords:

Audiences, media literacy, media trust, disinformation.