A training organized by Med. IA LAB Association in Yaoundé brought together professionals from the Cameroonian press as part of the fight against disinformation.

Disinformation is well known for its harmful effects around the entire information structure due to the manipulations of public opinion that it generates on a daily basis. This makes it a fundamental threat to Cameroonian journalists in the exercise of their trades.

The phenomena of manipulation of information, more and more viral, take disturbing proportions every day, sparing no sector and thus giving reflection to professionals of the local press. Faced with this growing threat, they multiply initiatives to counter its expansion, as has been observed during the recent training courses in Yaoundé. These sessions, focused on the challenges of disinformation in the AI ​​era, took place at the end of the launching ceremony for Med activities. IA LAB Association. "I was not there. But I believe that for the next wave of learners, I will be among them. It is time for ourselves to, press professionals, take measures to fight against this phenomenon that considerably reduces our efforts to collect information and fundamentally destroy the ethics of our profession, " said Pierre Omolobina, freelance journalist in Yaoundé.

Med. IA Lab Association, which is a Cameroonian digital platform, has placed the strengthening of journalistic ethics in the era of artificial intelligence at the heart of its priorities. During this first initiative, which also marked the official launch of its activities, the association was able to illustrate thanks to the quality of the participants present. Professor Boyomo Assala, president of the National Communication Council and former director of ESSTIC, issued the inaugural lesson. Several other personalities from the press world and other sectors, as well as journalists from different editors, have also taken part in the event. All expressed, with consistency and determination, the same message: to refuse that disinformation prosperous in the Cameroonian media landscape.

Among the modules discussed during this two -day training, were the techniques and tools to verify the information generated by the AI ​​as well as the issues linked to disinformation in the era of artificial intelligence. At the end of these sessions, certificates were given to the participants.

Med. The Lab Association intends to renew this experience, while the country is preparing for the presidential elections which will be held in October 2025.

Christian Essimi