In Mali, disinformation spreads at an alarming rate, fueled by political tensions, social conflicts and the explosion of social networks. Faced with this threat, an initiative is distinguished: Benbere, a pioneering platform in the fight against fake news, which combines Fact-Checking and awareness to meet this challenge.

Even if we do not have precise figures on the real impact of disinformation in Mali, it is clear that the years of instability that the country has favored the proliferation of fake news .

Created in 2018 with the support of RNW Media with the objective of promoting participatory and responsible journalism especially with young people, the Benbere accumulating more than 300,000 subscribers has quickly become a spearhead in the fight against disinformation. Through its Benbereverif , the platform tracks down, checks and corrects rumors circulating on social networks. Benbere has checked hundreds of viral publications, including misleading statements on political figures and fake news relating to national security.

But Benbere is not limited to fact-checking: the team regularly organizes training for journalists, bloggers and citizens in order to develop their critical mind. In a country where digital education remains limited, these efforts play a crucial role in strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of media manipulations.

A citizen participation approach

Benbere relies on media education to strengthen the critical thinking of the Malians. Interactive workshops are regularly organized in schools and universities, with the aim of teaching young people to analyze and verify the information they consume. These training courses include practical techniques, such as identification of reliable sources and the use of online verification tools. In parallel, the platform engages citizens through campaigns on social networks, in particular via hashtags like #BenBereVerif or #Bololakana . These initiatives encourage Internet users to report rumors and share verified content, thus creating a participatory dynamic.

Benbere is distinguished by its strategic use of digital tools and interactive formats. His explanatory videos, often short and impactful, decipher the most viral rumors by accompanying them with tangible evidence. Infographics make it possible to popularize complex subjects, making information accessible to all.

Challenges and perspectives

However, Benbere meets several challenges that complicate his mission. Abdoulaye Guindo, coordinator of the platform, underlines:

"We are facing many obstacles, including limited internet access in certain regions, as well as the political situation which sometimes forces us to self -censor on certain subjects. Access to reliable sources also remains a problem, especially in the current Malian context."

These challenges make the work of verification particularly difficult. The platform is actively looking for solutions, in particular through strategic partnerships with local and international organizations.

In addition, Benbere concentrates his efforts on strengthening the capacities of Fact-Checkers through continuous training programs, intended to train new actors capable of fighting disinformation independently.

The platform also undertakes to extend its actions in rural areas, where access to reliable information is particularly limited. Adapting to local realities, Benbere hopes to improve the quality of information and the resilience of rural communities in the face of media manipulations.

Abdoussala Dicko