In the age of fake news, defending the integrity of journalism in French-speaking countries
To mark International Francophonie Day, on 20th March 2026, CFI reaffirmed its pivotal role in building a Fancophone media landscape that is resilient in the face of misinformation.
All over in the world, misinformation is spreading at an alarming rate, threatening democracy and affecting social cohesion and growth. In light of this, thousands of media professionals are committed to upholding high-quality journalism in French and local languages.
An agency of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and a subsidiary of the France Médias Monde group, CFI plays a pivotal role in supporting innovation, training journalists and creating networks of trust among journalists to allow them to confront misinformation.
In 2025, projects developed by CFI were implemented in 27 member countries, 5 observer countries and 2 OIF member countries. In addition, 1,228 journalists, creators of French language content, were the beneficiaries of long-term support in 2025, i.e., more than two-thirds of those supported by CFI.
Support for local media: a priority
In response to the growing number of “media deserts”, which provide fertile ground for misinformation, CFI is supporting community radio stations, independent media and local newsrooms that produce and broadcast quality information in French and local languages.
- In Togo, the CFI RadioCheck project, which aims to step up the fight against misinformation in the country’s three northern regions, has allowed 12 local radio stations to produce 68 audio clips and 32 humorous video clips in French and local languages, reaching 1.6 million people.
- In Côte d’Ivoire, a podcast created as part of the Kouman project, had 14 million listeners who were able to engage with vital discussions on press freedom, the French-speaking world and the fight against discrimination.
The power of networking
Because of its ability to network hundreds of stakeholders in news, fact checking and public debate, CFI plays a pivotal role in maintaining a solid, resilient ecosystem that combats fake news. This is the case in its own network of partners, and also in the support it provides to other initiatives, notably Factoscope, which brings together journalists from some thirty media outlets across the French-speaking world.
CFI also works alongside other organisations, such as CLEMI, the Institut français, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie and OIF - as well as the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and France Médias Monde.
A space for debate and cooperation, more necessary than ever today in a troubled world, the French-speaking world embodies a collective response to the rise of misinformation and the proliferation of conflicts.
Alongside its partners, CFI will continue to commit to defending this public good that is quality journalism in French and local languages.
