As a result of the incessant development of new technologies and the role that social networks now plays in the daily lives of Internet users, the rise of disinformation does not spare Africa. This situation puts journalists on the continent are under permanent pressure.

The amplitude of African disinformation

An evolution of African journalism that goes hand in hand with the amplitude of the disinformation that rages on the continent. The African Strategic Study Center reports that these campaigns, aimed at manipulating African information systems have been quadrupled since 2022. The main target of these operations: African youth. A generation of voting age, drowning under information, which calls into question the dominant political discourse.

This disturbing trend is widely used to create rumors like Kenya or cyber mercenaries have been remunerated to promote accounts, hashtags on several false accounts in order to give the illusion of population support to the constitutional reforms proposed by the government.

Disinformation increases existing tensions and encourages violence between communities. On the other hand, expressions of expressions and the problem of illiteracy aggravate the effects of disinformation.

Disinformation as threatens to press freedom

The World Press Freedom 2024 classification established by Reporter Sans Frontières (RSF) is alarmingly alarmed to be the press against the press, mainly during demonstration or election periods as well as an increase in political control of the media. The absence of the free and independent press increases the resonance of disinformation.

On the African continent alone 3 countries: Mauritania, Namibia and South Africa present a satisfactory situation with regard to press freedom.

"Expressing the government's policies, actions or inaction, examining them or publicly sharing information deemed prejudicial to the government included a risk of arbitration, arbitrary detention or death," quotes Tigere Chagutah regional director, Amnesty International.

Violence that pushes journalists to "self -censorship" by fears of reprisals and intimidation.

💡
The African press faces security, technological and ethical challenges. The lack of investment in investigative journalism as well as in the absence of an independent press favors the development of disinformation. A stricter legislative framework as well as a fight against illiteracy can stem this phenomenon.

Contrary to what is happening in Europe, work between African countries and Internet giants must be done.

The role of new technologies in disinformation

Thanks to mobile Internet, journalism in Africa has changed its broadcasting channels to reach its audience. According to the E-Conomy Africa 2020 report co-produced by Google and the International Finance Company (IFC) of the World Bank, the digital market will evaluate $ 780 billion by 2050 and 180 billion by 2025 or 5.4 % of the GDP on the continent. An advent of new technologies which allows a larger scale of information, although they do not guarantee their integrity.

💡
It is in this context that artificial intelligence has a highest place. Propaganda campaigns on social networks, including artificial articles, artificial intelligence, is also used to influence the election result, manipulate public opinion, even, question the democratic model. It should also be noted, the appearance of a multitude of media that have given rise to the creation of private newspapers, radios and televisions. These media also try to manipulate the population thanks to the cumulative effects of news fakes, and insecurity.