“In the current context of war and insecurity in North Kivu province, misinformation continues to spread at a fast rate due to the use of digital and social media. Unfortunately, there is little press coverage of this phenomenon of hate speech and fake news,” says Congolese journalist Desanges Kihuha. His words capture the growing crisis of misinformation and disinformation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), where conflict-driven narratives on social media incite violence, deepen ethnic divisions, and fuel hostility between communities.
With millions displaced and tensions escalating, false information spreads unchecked, manipulating public opinion and undermining efforts for peace. The situation in DR Congo mirrors a wider trend across Africa, where both domestic and foreign actors exploit digital platforms to distort facts, shape political discourse, and destabilize nations. Understanding how misinformation and disinformation operate is key to countering their destructive influence on governance, security, and social cohesion.
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Misinformation has become a powerful force shaping political landscapes across Africa. From manipulated election narratives to false reports inciting unrest, the spread of misleading information threatens democratic integrity, social stability, and public trust in institutions. With social media accelerating the reach of unverified content, misinformation often outpaces fact-checking efforts, leaving citizens vulnerable to deception.
In major African countries, misinformation and disinformation distorts public opinion and weakens democratic institutions. As stated in a report by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Nigeria’s 2019 elections were plagued by fake news campaigns that deepened public distrust and unrest leading to about 58 casualties. In conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo, misinformation exacerbates violence by manipulating narratives and obstructing peace efforts. False claims about foreign interference and exaggerated casualty figures distract from real solutions, prolonging instability.
Ethical storytelling is a powerful tool to counter misinformation. It prioritizes accuracy, transparency, and responsibility, ensuring that citizens receive truthful, well-researched narratives. Organizations like Africa Uncensored, Africa Check and Ghana’s Fact-Checking Coalition and BBC Verify among others work to debunk false claims, particularly during elections, helping voters make informed choices.
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Misinformation stems from various sources, including media outlets that prioritize profit over truth, politicians who manipulate narratives for personal gain, and social media influencers who spread unverified claims. Foreign entities also contribute to disinformation campaigns to destabilize regions or influence elections. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook play a significant role in amplifying unverified claims. Fact-checking initiatives work to hold these platforms accountable and educate users on detecting fake news.
According to a study by the African centre for strategic studies Africa is currently the target of 23 transnational disinformation campaigns, with nearly all orchestrated by external state actors seeking to influence the continent. Russia and China are the primary sponsors of these efforts, leveraging disinformation to advance their geostrategic interests. Their campaigns aim to undermine democratic processes, promote coups, fuel anti-Western and anti-United Nations sentiment, and distort climate change science, ultimately shaping narratives that serve their political agendas while destabilizing African societies. It is proven that domestic actors have also increasingly adopted disinformation as a political tool, as seen during Kenya’s 2022 and Nigeria’s 2023 elections, where false narratives were used to manipulate public opinion and influence electoral outcomes.
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Marginalized populations are disproportionately affected by misinformation, leading to exclusion, discrimination, and even violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, false claims about vaccines led to hesitancy, delaying immunization efforts. In conflict-ridden regions like Sudan and Ethiopia, fake news has incited violence and deepened divisions. Misinformation can mislead communities about their rights and available services, further marginalizing vulnerable groups.
Ethical storytelling upholds principles such as accuracy, transparency, representation, and responsibility. By adhering to these principles, media professionals can help counteract misinformation and rebuild confidence in democratic institutions. It enables citizens to critically assess information, engage in democratic processes, and demand accountability from leaders. Media literacy is key to empowering individuals to verify news sources and recognize misinformation tactics. In Kenya, the Media Council of Kenya has implemented strict guidelines to curb misinformation in journalism, however, citizen journalists jokingly described as ‘Githeri journalists’, i.e. on social media, keep rolling behind the progress being made to streamline communication ethics.
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Media literacy programs are essential to building resistance against misinformation. Educational initiatives should be integrated into school curricula, while public workshops and online resources can provide fact-checking tools. Misinformation threatens democratic integrity, but ethical storytelling offers a powerful solution. By prioritizing truth and responsibility, journalists, activists, and citizens can build a more informed society. Addressing misinformation requires collective action, from governments enacting stricter regulations to individuals verifying information before sharing. Ethical storytelling has the potential to reshape narratives, strengthen democracies, and empower citizens across Africa.