4.5.3 Trust in the media sources The top five most trusted sources of information are family members (74%), schools (72%), religious leaders (64%), aid workers (60%), and friends (58%). The least trusted sources of information include magazines (21%), public newspapers (22%) and public TV stations (27%). Table 8: Trust in sources of information [42] Table 8: Trust in sources of information43 1 9 15 74 6 4 18 72 3 10 23 64 Source: Fieldwork survey 16 10 14 60 2 15 24 58 14 15 13 10 22 25 51 somewhat a lot 50 4 18 28 49 Just a little 20 11 21 48 8 14 30 36 10 9 47 Not at all 45 16 17 25 41 Don’t Know 10 31 25 42 28 11 12 17 41 15 37 32 48 35 14 12 13 27 23 27 Didn’t Say Source: Fieldwork survey The new media has often been flagged for the need for defined regulatory frameworks The new has often regarding howmedia information is circulated. There are no proper avenues for fact-checking as been need for media, which has resulted in it being used to spread offeredflagged withinfor thethe mainstream defined regulatory frameworks misinformation, disinformation and mal-information (MDM). This has tended to render it regarding how information is prone to abuse by various social actors especially politicians who also take advantage of its circulated. wide reach and ease of access by large sections of the population. There are no proper avenues for fact-checking as offered within the mainstream media, 5. Recommendations which has resulted in it being In light the observations of the emergence of new media structures and audiences, plus used to of spread misinformation, disinformation andpatterns mal-and habits, the following recommendations are preferred to attendant consumption information (MDM). both inform and shape policy and programmatic action. This has tended to render it Mediatoactors society organisations and development partners) prone abuse(including by variouscivil social actors especially politicians who Policy advocacy Universal Service Fund (USF) to expand telecommunications also●take advantage of on its the wide infrastructure to underserved areas and improve network quality (reducing the digital reach and ease of access by large sectionsdivide)—the of the population. USF stands as a potential game-changer in opening up opportunities 32 presented by the burgeoning digital media landscape. ● Design capacity-building programmes on digital literacy, rights, and ethics for media 46 14 18 22 55 14 10 21