Judges call for digital literacy and social listening to counter fake news
Superior judges have called for greater investment in digital literacy and social listening within the judiciary to counter misinformation and fake news narratives that threaten the administration of justice.
Speaking in Mombasa on August 20, 2025, the judges cited cyberbullying, harassment, misinformation, and disinformation as major threats to the credibility of the courts and the fair dispensation of justice.
You might also like
“Judges discuss the use of social media under the topic ‘The Judiciary and Judges in the Social Media Age’. The superior court judges deliberated on the country’s social media landscape with regard to the usage of social media in Kenya,” read the statement by the judiciary on August 20, 2025.
The forum emphasised the importance of strengthening crisis communication and building effective media relations to ensure timely and accurate information reaches the public.
Additionally, judges stressed the need to establish clear communication protocols and rapid-response mechanisms to debunk misleading narratives.
They further highlighted the necessity of resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and leveraging social media platforms to communicate court decisions more effectively.
On matters of personal data and privacy, the judges reviewed Kenya’s legal framework and emerging global issues.
“The conference heard that it was critical for the judiciary to set a precedent with regard to leveraging emerging technologies, ensuring that data processing activities comply with principles of data protection and lawful bases for processing, and ensuring that there is adequate sensitisation and training on emerging technologies.”
Artificial Intelligence
Further, they explored the need to adhere to ethical and constitutional considerations of using AI tools as well as the legal consequences associated with the adoption of the tool.
They discussed the impact of AI on the vulnerable groups, especially in respect of the digital divide and access to justice. They underscored the need for judges to take into account the limiting factor of AI tools on access to justice for vulnerable people.
The judges also deliberated on technology tools such as AI with regard to, among other issues, its use in the legal profession, especially in legal research.
