Disinformation, scourge without borders, proliferates on social networks, main vectors of false information. In Cameroon, this phenomenon feeds the manipulation of public opinion, tribalism and the speeches of hatred. Faced with this challenge, several initiatives, both public and private, endeavor to contain its propagation and to raise awareness of citizens of the verification of the facts.

Among them, Defyhatenow Cameroon and French-speaking Africa launched the Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship (AFF) , a program aimed at forming ambassadors in Fact-Checking to fight disinformation on digital platforms.

Train experts in fact verification

The Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship pursues several objectives:

  1. Train fact-checking specialists capable of identifying and deconstructing false information.
  2. Strengthen confidence in institutions , restaurants the transparency and credibility of official information.
  3. Support democracy and social cohesion , helping citizens to detect and counter toxic and manipulative speeches.

The program offers various modules, focused on:

  • The identification of different forms of false information : (intentional) disinformation, malinformation (based on distorted facts) and mesinformation (involuntary sharing of erroneous information).
  • The use of digital tools and specialized software to check the authenticity of online content.
  • Critical analysis of the media , in order to assess the reliability of sources and information.

A response to a worrying context

Since the 2018 presidential election, Cameroon has faced an intensification of hate speech and attempts to manipulate opinion through the dissemination of false information. In this context, initiatives like the Africa Fact-Checking Fellowship appear as essential solutions to stem these drifts and promote a culture of information based on verified facts.

While the fight against disinformation is mainly played on social networks, media training and education are essential as essential tools to guarantee a healthier informational environment . Through this program, Defyhatenow Cameroon aims to provide citizens with the skills necessary to navigate with discernment in a saturated media space with misleading content.

Christian Essimi