STUDIO HIRONDELLE-RDC

Studio Hirondelle-DRC is a project run by the Hirondelle Foundation, established in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2014. Its goal is to contribute to the consolidation of democracy in the country through greater involvement of Congolese citizens, particularly women and young people, in public life thanks to professional and committed media outlets.

Its programs, broadcast in five languages (French, Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, and Swahili) by a network of 88 media partners, put people at the center by providing them with reliable and independent information and amplifying their voices through strengthened local media. Since January 2024, its work has focused primarily on fact-checking and media literacy.

Context

In 2025, fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group intensified in the east of the country, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and exacerbating community tensions. In this context, the Congolese media, already weakened by a lack of resources, were particularly vulnerable to exploitation, especially in the face of growing challenges from disinformation on social media linked to issues of governance and peace.

Citizen-led and engaged media to strengthen democratic culture and combat misinformation

Studio Hirondelle-RDC continues to offer radio content while retaining its added value: short, impactful, balanced and relevant formats. The studio deals with post-democratic and electoral issues through debates and round tables with local citizens and political players. In 2024, Studio Hirondelle DRC produced two weekly current affairs shows and one monthly debate, either in the studio or in the field, in 5 languages (French, Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili). These programmes address the main national and local issues such as public policy analysis and the civic and political involvement of young people. Studio Hirondelle RDC broadcast its programmes through its network of 88 community radio stations throughout the country.

In 2025, Studio Hirondelle-DRC produced two weekly magazines and one monthly studio or public debate in five languages (French, Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba, Swahili). These programs addressed key national and local issues, including analysis of public policy and civic and political engagement among young people.

The team offers fact-checking content to decipher false information. Media literacy programmes are produced to support citizens in their critical consumption of different sources of information. These media education sessions are also given in Kinshasa’s universities. In 2025, Studio Hirondelle DRC is equipped with digital tools that are able to monitor fake news and hate speech online. The team is planning to expand its digital presence, especially on TikTok and Instagram. Increasing the use of AI to detect hate speech on community radio is also an important objective. The studio developed new digital formats for broadcasting on social networks, also for a younger audience, in particular on Tik Tok or Instagram. The Tik Tok channel grows significantly in 2024.

In Kinshasa, Kananga, Goma, Bukavu, and Lubumbashi, media partners received training in fact-checking and conflict-sensitive journalism. The editorial staff of Studio Hirondelle-DRC received support to refine its digital strategy. It also received training in fact-checking. In 2025, Studio Hirondelle-RDC also received training in analyzing disinformation on social media. The year 2025 was marked by the implementation of a pilot project to detect hate speech using AI on community radio stations in Goma and Bukavu.

Training sessions are provided to both Studio journalists and partner media outlets. The topics covered include investigative techniques, fact-checking, data analysis, and humanitarian issues. Finally, in 2026, a partnership with Radio Okapi, the United Nations radio station in the DRC, will enable weekly rebroadcasting of content produced by Studio Hirondelle-DRC, increasing the audience for our productions.

pilot project: using ia to counter misinformation and hate speech

A pilot project supported by the European Commission’s Foreign Policy Instruments Service (FPI) is using AI to combat disinformation and hate speech in the east of the DRC. Using natural language processing (NLP – an AI tool), ten community radio stations in the east of the country are being monitored and violent speech detected. In response to this hate speech, appropriate radio content is broadcast.

This project aims to reduce the impact of misinformation while strengthening social cohesion and local stability. It benefits local radio audiences and vulnerable communities affected by conflict and ethnic tensions in Ituri, North and South Kivu, by giving them access to trusted information.

In 2026, Studio Hirondelle-DRC uses digital tools capable of monitoring false information and hate speech online. The Studio team plans to strengthen its digital presence, particularly on TikTok and Instagram. Increasing the use of artificial intelligence to detect hate speech on community radio stations is also an important goal for 2026, with monitoring being extended to 100 radio stations across the Democratic Republic of Congo.

To find out more about our work to counter disinformation and misinformation, visit our dedicated page.