ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 REGULATIONS VIS-À-VIS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN THE SADC REGION World Health Organisation (WHO) public debate in Africa.110It operates in several countries including South Africa. It is guided by principles such as transparency of sources, fairness, openness and honesty. One of the stories that was researched and fact-checked by Africa check is that of claims by the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina that Interferon alpha-2b is a vaccine for COVID19. Africa Check’s verdict was that “Interferon alpha- 2b has been used to treat some earlier strains of coronavirus, but it’s not a vaccine that would prevent people from getting COVID-19.” 111 Their research also confirmed that alcohol weakens the immune system and a ban could help South African fight COVID-19 infection. 112 The WHO monitors trends in misinformation and disinformation. It communicates extensively and provides regular COVID-19 updates on social media platforms. The upto-date information and advice on COVID-19 provides reliable information to counter the infodemic’. 116Also, WHO’s partnership with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tencent and TikTok is aimed at eliminating misinformation and disinformation by providing accurate information to the public.117This commendable approach increases chances of many people accessing accurate information while on different social media platforms even if they are not on the WHO website.118 ZimFact ZimFact is a Zimbabwean fact-checking organisation whose aim is to ensure that the “general public can receive verified news information and real facts in the wake of a rise in propaganda and misinformation”113ZimFact publishes ‘fact reports” with claims, stories and information that have been fact-checked for accuracy.114 One of the reports dismissed the claim that inhaling steam can treat or cure COVID-19.115Fact checking and verification service initiatives do not necessarily stop the publication of false information but contribute to confirming the facts and dispelling falsehoods. They reduce the proliferation of falsehoods and raise awareness on misinformation and disinformation. The role of fact checkers and media monitoring services in countering disinformation It is imperative to counter disinformation with credible information that is proactively disclosed in a rights-respecting manner, timeously, clearly and accurately. COVID-19 information must articulate the nature and extent of the pandemic in the country. It must also include general information about the virus, provision of health services and challenges in the health delivery system. In addition, the government’s response to the pandemic should be clearly articulated and made available and accessible to everyone. For example, COVID-19 information should be disseminated in African indigenous 110 https://africacheck.org 111 https://africacheck.org/reports/south-african-mayor-incorrect-that-interferon-alpha-2b-a-covid-19-vaccine/ (accessed 15 June 2020). 112 More than an inconvenience: Alcohol ban could help South Africans fight Covid-19 infection https://africacheck.org/reports/morethan-an-inconvenience-alcohol-ban-could-help-south-africans-fight-covid-19-infection/ (accessed 15 June 2020). 113 https://zimfact.org/about-us/ (accessed 15 June 2020). 114 https://zimfact.org/category/fact-reports/ (accessed 15 June 2020). 115 WP Dunlop ‘No, inhaling steam will not treat or cure novel coronavirus infection’ 31 March 2020 https://zimfact.org/ no- inhaling-steam-will-not-treat-or-cure-novel-coronavirus-infection/ 116 World Health Organisation https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happe 117 D. Brindha et al n 34 589 118 D. Brindha as above 589. https://zimbabwe.misa.org 24