Ouagadougou: The High Council for Communication (CSC) and the Central Brigade for Combating Cybercrime (BCLCC) raised awareness on Tuesday in Ouagadougou among bloggers, activists, influencers, and 'wiyiyans' about their social responsibility for civic communication. During this meeting, it was emphasized that a simple "like," share, or comment on a digital platform makes its author legally responsible and can lead to fines or imprisonment. WhatsApp group administrators were also urged to ensure healthy moderation of discussions, or risk facing the full force of the law. According to Burkina Information Agency, during the discussions, two presentations were given. The first, led by the CSC, focused on cases of misconduct observed on social media. The second, presented by the Central Brigade for Combating Cybercrime (BCLCC), addressed the most widespread illegal behaviors in cyberspace and the penalties provided by law. The exchange meeting, chaired by the Minister in charge of Communication, Pingwendé Gilb ert Ouédraogo, aims to promote responsible use of social networks, raise awareness of the dangers of disinformation, and strengthen dialogue between institutions and web actors. According to the Minister of Communication, the information and communication ecosystem has seen the emergence, since September 2022, of new players who occupy the digital space and contribute to the fight against disinformation. "It is important for us to meet in order to exchange ideas, identify strengths and weaknesses, correct mistakes and move towards the common goal of building a resilient and prosperous Burkina Faso," he said. He also clarified that this framework for exchange is not intended to discourage content creators, but rather to remind them of their social responsibility for civic communication. The president of the CSC, Wendingoudi Louis Modeste Ouédraogo, for his part stressed that the Burkinabe media landscape is undergoing a profound transformation with the emergence of influencers, web activists, bloggers, and digital opinion leaders who now have an audience that is sometimes larger than that of traditional media. "Through their ability to mobilize and their proximity to the people, these actors now play a crucial role in shaping public opinion for social stability and support for institutions," he stated. However, Mr. Ouédraogo noted that the rapid spread of information on social networks, sometimes without prior verification, exposes society to risks of disinformation, fake news, hate speech, religious intolerance, and stigmatization. Faced with these abuses, the CSC, the BCLCC, and the Ministry in charge of Communication have decided to join forces to raise awareness and support digital actors in order to promote responsible use of the digital civic space. He finally urged digital actors to become more involved in making Burkina Faso's digital space a framework for constructive dialogue and the promotion of peace, thus contributing to the vision of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, for a Burkina F aso of social cohesion and development.