Rabat – On Thursday, during a fact-checking training seminar held from April 22 to 26, 2024, journalists from various African press agencies founded a network aimed at combating misinformation. The seminar, which attracted around twenty journalists, culminated in the formation of this coalition with Jean Bedel Onkan Ndanla from the Democratic Republic of Congo appointed as the coordinator and Mohamed Reda Aoufoussi from the Moroccan Press Agency as secretary general. The event also saw the presence of Fouad Arif, president of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the establishment of this network responds to the growing concern over the spread of fake news across Africa. He highlighted the intent of the network to merge efforts, exchange experiences, and maintain a constant flow of information to tackle the challenge effectively. Onkan Ndanla emphasized the crucial role of press agencies in embracing innovative methods to keep pace with the rapid changes in the media landscape. He urged journalists to prioritize rigorous fact-checking methods in their work to ensure accuracy and reliability in information dissemination. The event concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony, with Fouad Arif in attendance, marking the formal recognition of the participants’ commitment to factual reporting.