Black Communication in the Age of Disinformation : DeepFakes and Synthetic Media

This book explores the consequences of the changing landscape of media communication on Black interactions in the virtual space. Current developments in technology, such as facial recognition, have already disproportionately affected people of color, especially people of African descent. The rise of DeepFakes and other forms of Fake News online has brought a host of new impacts and potential obstacles to the way that Black communities communicate. With a focus on the emergence of DeepFakes, and AI Synthetic Media, contributors have explored a range of themes and topics, including but not limited to: How do AI and digital algorithms impact people of color? How does Social Media shape Black women's perception of their body? How vulnerable are young Africans to social media generated fake news? Contributions have examined how Black virtual, in person and digital communication is affected by the current onslaught of misinformation, manipulated images and videos, and changing social media landscape. Foreword Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Of Deepfakes, Misinformation, and Disinformation The Open Curtain to Digitalization in Africa How Did We Get Here? Online Disinformation and Africa Elections Coverage and the War of Fakes “Fake News” Palava and E-journalism post-McLuhanism Media Bubbles, Polarization, and Fake News Ethics, Fake News, and Real News Tug of War Rationale for This First Edition on Deepfakes References Chapter 2: The African Youth and Social Media at the Crossroads of Information, Misinformation, and Disinformation Introduction Youth Bulge and Social Media Usage in Africa Youth Social Media Usage in Context “Development” Versus “Envelopment” of Africa in the Digital Age The Productive Dimensions of the Youth-Social Media Nexus Overview of Social Media Use in Africa Social Media, Youth Innovations, and Development The Counterproductive Dimensions of the Youth-Social Media Nexus Misinformation and Its Consequences Disinformation and Its Consequences Cyber Bullying, Abuse, and Harassment Conclusion and Recommendations References Chapter 3: Artificial Intelligence for Social Evil: Exploring How AI and Beauty Filters Perpetuate Colorism—Lessons Learned from a Colorism Giant, Brazil Introduction Artificial Intelligence and Deep Fakes Deep Fakes and Social Media Efforts to Address the Issue Deep Fake, Filters Beauty Standards, and Colorism Colorism and Societal Issues Colorism in Other Parts of the World Colorism in Brazil: Lessons Learned Conclusion References Chapter 4: Deepfakes as Misinformation: The Next Frontier of Sports Fandom Exploring Deepfakes: An Emerging Communications Crisis The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Role in Increasing Deepfake Culture Creating Celebrity Fueling Fanship and Fandom Digital Fanship and Fandom Deepfakes as Fandom Conclusion References Chapter 5: The Influence of Social Media Use in the Wake of Deepfakes on Kenyan Female University Students’ Perceptions on Sexism, Their Body Image and Participation in Politics Introduction Methodology Findings and Discussions Influence of Social Media Use on Kenyan Female University Students’ Perception on Their Body Image and Identity The Influence of Social Media Use in Spread of Disinformation and Misinformation and Its Effect on Kenyan Female University Students’ Participation in Politics The Influence of Social Media in Promoting Sexism Conclusion References Chapter 6: The Ogre and the Griot: Culturally Embedded Communicative Approaches Addressing ‘Deep Fake’ COVID-19 Narratives and Hyperrealities in Kenya Introduction Hyperrealities Methodology Findings Re-humanizing the Clinician Applying a Culturally Competent Communicative Style Who Is a Griot? Conclusion References Chapter 7: “The Medium is the Massage/Message”: Functions of Synthetic Media in Sense-Making Conditions Introduction Production, Spread, and Processing of Deepfakes Managing Health Information Needs in the Era of Deepfakes Conclusion References Chapter 8: Deepfakes: Future of Sports and Questioning Video Evidence Introduction Theoretical Framework Artificial Intelligence and Enhancing Deepfake Finding Solutions Conclusion References Chapter 9: Examining the Role of ‘KOT’ in Reinforcing Organizations’ Voices Against Misinformation in Kenya Introduction Twitter, Misinformation and Organizations’ Online Engagement Theoretical Grounding Methodology Findings and Discussions RQ 1. Ease of Use of the Interface and Facilitation of Discourse RQ2. Impact of Dialogic Loops and Feedback RQ3. Usefulness of (Mis)information on Twitter to Policy Change RQ4. KOT and Organizations’ Use of Twitter to Avert Miscommunication and Misrepresentation Conclusion References Chapter 10: Akata Night Masquerade: A Semblance of Online Deepfakes in African Traditional Communication Systems Introduction Theoretical Perspectives Defining African Communication Systems/Indigenous Media Deepfake as a Modern Concept Systems of Indigenous Communication in Africa Origin of Akata Night Masquerade Akata as a Form of Indigenous Media The Purposes Akata Media Served in the African Community Why Deepfake Is Not New in the African Society The Akata Night Masquerade as a Deepfake Conclusion and Recommendation References Index