Desinfox Ivory Coast
Goals
Presentation
Although disinformation has been rife in Africa for decades, the arrival of social media has amplified this phenomenon, particularly in Ivory Coast where the majority of the population now gets their information online. To reduce the risks threatening social cohesion in the country, CFI and Polaris Asso have launched the Desinfox Ivory Coast project to promote the responsible use of the media and strengthen Ivorians’ resilience to false information.
The project focuses on media and information literacy, training journalists and raising awareness among young Ivorians. Its aim is to warn journalists working at traditional and online media about the dangers of the Internet, while at the same time strengthening their skills so that they can make rational use of social media in their professional practice. At the same time, the project will set up an educational programme aimed at training young people at schools and universities in several towns that have experienced tensions due to disinformation campaigns.
Project beneficiaries
- 240 journalists from 80 of the country’s media outlets
- The entire editorial staff of 80 of the country's media outlets
- 20 young people from civil society organisations
- 15,000 young Ivorians, including 10,000 in secondary and higher education
Actions
Training journalists in the challenges of verifying online information
- Training 240 journalists in 20 localities in Ivory Coast.
- Brainstorming workshop and creation of posters illustrating the principles of making good use of social media.
- Remote coaching for the journalists who have been trained and appointed by their media outlet to pass on the lessons learned.
Media and information literacy training for young people at schools and who are members of civil society organisations
- Training and awareness-raising in secondary schools and universities
- Managing and producing an action and advocacy course