Media professionals address digital shifts and disinformation in Africa

Media professionals in Africa are addressing digital transformation and information integrity through two distinct regional initiatives.

In Congo, the first edition of the Salon de l’information, de la communication et des médias (SICOM) is scheduled for September 17–19, 2026, in Brazzaville. The event aims to explore the evolution of the media ecosystem, focusing on the transition from print to audiovisual and digital media, including the impact of artificial intelligence. General Commissioner Gildas Mayela noted the urgency of helping professionals adapt to new digital skills and technologies.

In Ouagadougou, the Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO), supported by International Media Support (IMS), held a sub-regional conference on September 23, 2026. The meeting brought together journalists and regulators from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to combat disinformation and hate speech within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Modeste Ouédraogo, president of the Superior Council of Communication, warned that the media landscape has become a battlefield for narratives intended to destabilize the region and undermine public trust in institutions.