The KAS Media Programme Sub-Saharan Africa once again supported a really exciting and important event for all of us as well-informed citizens: The Africa Facts Summit 2024.
About 200 fact-checkers, journalists and media experts gathered from across the continent in Accra, Ghana to address challenges and innovations in the fight against misinformation and disinformation in Africa. The two-day event, on the 9th and 10th of October, highlighted how journalists' approaches differ from country to country and from one target group to another.
From a panel on covering the presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Senegal to a case study of social media’s role in a conflict in Ghana, various experts shared their insights on obstacles and solutions in dealing with misinformation and disinformation all over Sub-Saharan Africa.
Multiple Presentations focused on exploring different digital tools such as AI-powered platforms and community-driven solutions to support fact-checkers in their crucial work. A further emphasis was also placed on analysing the presence of Russian propaganda and disinformation, and its impact in the Sahel.
The participants were able to share individual challenges with each other and discuss common strategies and solutions. This lively exchange can help to promote a diverse media landscape with quality and verified content, as well as combat misinformation and disinformation in Africa.
The summit concluded with the Africa Facts Awards Gala Dinner, celebrating excellence in fact-checking across student, professional journalist, and professional fact-checker categories.
