World · Africa · 2 hrs ago
African groups fight disinformation as governments face scrutiny
Civil society groups across Africa are working to counter false information, which can mislead people, especially before elections.
The problem is growing as artificial intelligence makes it easier to alter images, voices and videos.
In South Africa, Africa Check and Media Monitoring Africa work to highlight disinformation’s effects on elections, and similar coalitions operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal.
Many of these efforts focus on election periods and lack ongoing funding, limiting their work at other times.
Some governments are accused of spreading disinformation or restricting independent media, including military governments in Burkina Faso and Mali that have shut outlets, prosecuted journalists and expelled foreign correspondents.
A survey found that more than 60% viewed China’s influence positively, while 52% viewed US influence positively; the two countries are competing for economic gains and backing infrastructure projects in Africa.
Misinformation and disinformation can mislead people in Africa, particularly around elections, while artificial intelligence is making manipulated images, voices and videos easier to produce.
Civil society groups in several African countries work to counter false narratives, but their efforts often focus on election periods and lack sustained funding.
Journalism lecturer Dani Madrid-Morales says African governments need to do more to combat disinformation.
He warns that some governments tolerate or spread disinformation and may use restrictions on media and journalists to silence criticism.
An Afrobarometer study found that more than 60% of respondents viewed China’s political and economic influence positively, compared with 52% for the United States.
- Who
- African civil society groups, governments and foreign actors are involved. Journalism lecturer Dani Madrid-Morales and the Afrobarometer research network are cited.
- What
- African groups work to counter disinformation, while the article examines government efforts and the influence of foreign actors.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Across Africa, including South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Mali.
- Why
- False narratives can mislead people and affect public opinion, particularly around elections.
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- Civil society groups in South Africa
- Africa Check and Media Monitoring Africa
- Other countries with similar coalitions
- Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal
- Military governments cited
- Burkina Faso and Mali
- Positive view of China’s influence
- Over 60% of respondents
- Positive view of US influence
- 52% of respondents
What people are saying
there are very few countries — if any — that are actually doing a good job
Governments are particularly interested in the third category