Fact-checking initiatives in Francophone Africa — where many Indigenous languages also are spoken — typically publish their content in written formats and primarily in French. These efforts have been hindered by low literacy levels among the audiences they’re trying to reach, and restricted internet access.
The impacts of fact checking in the region remain limited, as a result. Disinformation, meanwhile, only continues to spread.
Recognizing the challenge, several fact-checking initiatives are producing content in local languages and multimedia formats to connect with broader segments of the population. Here’s how they’re doing it:
The limits of written content
"Most people aren’t inclined to read fact-checking content," said Abdoulaye Guindo, coordinator of the Malian outlet, Benbere, which includes a dedicated fact-checking component. "In a survey, many respondents expressed a preference for audio or video content in local languages."
Since 2019, Benbere has published its fact-checking in five local languages, including Bambara which is widely spoken in southern Mali, Fulfa and Dogon, spoken in the central regions, and Songhay, prevalent in the north. "In these areas], local languages are more widely spoken, and radio is the most popular medium. This helps us reach the largest number of Malians who are not online," said Guindo.
La Voix de Mopti, based in Mali’s capital of Bamako, also has used podcasts to disseminate its fact-checking. In 2023, the outlet produced podcasts in two local languages, which it then shared in WhatsApp groups, explained editorial director, Dramé Yacouba. "In Mali, WhatsApp groups are a hotspot for spreading false information. We collaborate with [WhatsApp] group administrators to identify and debunk fake news," he said.
Lack of internet access is another challenge fact-checkers face. In the Central African Republic, for example, where internet penetration is very low, radio remains a vital communication tool. "To reach this audience, we broadcast our content on radio stations in Sango, one of our local languages," explained Britney Ngalingbo, executive director of Centrafrique Check.
In Benin, the media outlet Banouto launched a fact-checking initiative between 2021 and 2022 as part of a program supported by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. "We aired our content through partner radio stations as part of a comprehensive package," said the outlet’s director, Olivier Ribouis. The initiative unfortunately ended in 2023 due to a lack of financial resources. "Although the project has ended and we no longer have funding, one of our partner radio stations has continued the initiative independently."
Faso Check in Burkina Faso has also turned to radio. Its fact checking in four local languages — Mooré, Fula, Dyula, and Gourmatchema — is delivered through short audio pieces broadcast on partner radio stations. "Sometimes, it is the communities who contact us on subjects they wish to verify," said Ange Lévi Jordan Meda, head of the editorial division and its fact-checking coordinator.
Evaluating impact
Assessing the impact of fact checking can be difficult. "[Fact checking] has a qualitative impact that is hard to quantify or evaluate in terms of audience size," said Ribouis.
Faso Check has measured its influence through feedback from radio listening clubs — fora in which members discuss topics and share concerns with partnering radio stations, often aired live. "With the political and social upheavals in Burkina Faso, people are becoming increasingly aware of how disinformation can harm communities," explained Jordan Meda.
Benbere employs a more structured approach. "We use an online Google form and maintain a database of our subscribers," said Guindo. "Our monitoring evaluator conducts surveys after broadcasting our content and engages directly with the audience to gather insights."
Impact of local language content
The outlets have documented encouraging benefits from their fact checking. For Benbere in Mali, Guindo noted that the shift from written to video and podcast formats has increased audience engagement significantly. This has been reflected in more views on Facebook, X and YouTube.
In Benin, Ribouis highlighted positive listener feedback as a key success indicator. "The responses [of our audience] were encouraging. Once they hear the verified version, listeners often express their gratitude," he said. Audience feedback has been similarly encouraging for Centrafrique Check. "It's been three years now, and thanks to the interactions, we receive messages of encouragement from the general public," said Ngalingbo.
And yet, despite the fact-checking efforts, a significant portion of the population continues to be susceptible to widespread false information. "Fact-checking alone is not enough. Media literacy is essential to help communities critically evaluate the content they encounter on social media," stressed La Voix de Mopti’s Yacouba.
Ribouis argued that fact-checking initiatives must expand: "Where truth is absent, falsehood becomes the rule."
Photo by Joshua Oluwagbemiga on Unsplash.
This article was originally published on IJNet French and translated by Nourredine Bessadi.
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