ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A major Ethiopian broadcaster says Facebook has shut 20 fake pages that falsely used its name.
Fana Broadcasting Corporate said Wednesday that as a result of its request, Facebook closed down the pages that were spreading fake news. Fana's announcement comes as Ethiopians complain that fake news reports in recent months have contributed to violence and deaths in some parts of the country.
The number of people using Facebook in Ethiopia, is estimated to be around 4.5 million of the country's 100 million inhabitants.
Ethiopia's reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who came to power in April, has relaxed the government's control of the media. But Abiy has warned that fabricated stories are jeopardizing the public's peace and security.
Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.
