{"id":13766,"date":"2024-09-17T18:53:44","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T16:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/?page_id=13766"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:44:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T15:44:13","slug":"mis-and-disinformation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-areas-of-expertise\/mis-and-disinformation","title":{"rendered":"Mis- and disinformation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>The existence of trustworthy, independent media is vital to provide verified facts, counter rumours and ensure informed public discourse. <br><br>Journalism makes it possible to distinguish between a fact and a lie, particularly in fragile situations where disinformation is often the first weapon to be deployed.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed alignright is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vunja Uongo \u2018Breaking the lies\u2019: discover Studio Hirondelle&#039;s work in the DRC\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QC91e2aVqP0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Fondation Hirondelle is committed to defending the integrity of information through implementing the fundamental principles of journalism. We take a twofold approach: stick to the facts and build trust. To ensure that information is reliable, we ensure that our media have complete editorial independence, rigorously check sources, and react quickly in order to process information in the field and prevent rumours from filling the gaps. We insist on a clear and balanced presentation of facts to guard against any confusion between news and opinion, while providing journalists with appropriate training (on the basic principles and techniques of journalism, and on new debunking and fact-checking tools) to help them meet the challenges of disinformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, we concentrate on building trust with our audiences and the beneficiaries of our projects by taking a local and inclusive approach. Our media programmes and partners make the effort to speak to people in their language, to cover subjects that are relevant to them, and to maintain complete transparency concerning their practices and funding. We implement inclusive dialogue initiatives and monitoring tools to identify and counter sources of disinformation. In addition, we engage in media education to enable citizens, including those in the most difficult and fragile situations, to develop a critical approach to the news they consume. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen communities\u2019 resilience to disinformation and to foster public discourse based on verified and reliable facts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of media projects<br><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mali&nbsp;<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"988\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-mali-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11912\" style=\"width:357px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-mali-2-1.jpg 988w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-mali-2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-mali-2-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 988px) 100vw, 988px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Created and implemented by Fondation Hirondelle, Studio Tamani in Mali has become a key actor in the fight against disinformation in the country. Through its team of Malian journalists and its unique network of correspondents located throughout the country, every day Studio Tamani provides more than 3 million people with fact-checked news in the Sahel, where disinformation can have a particularly destabilising influence. The project uses a range of media formats, from in-depth reports to public debates, to counter rumours and promote a clear understanding of the issues at stake. At the same time, Studio Tamani trains local journalists to improve their ability to process information in a rigorous and objective fashion. Through these actions, Studio Tamani plays a key role in ensuring informed public discourse and promoting reliable news in Mali. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/mali\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/mali\">Learn more about the project<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"989\" height=\"659\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-rca-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11916\" style=\"width:368px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-rca-3.jpg 989w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-rca-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/box-rca-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 989px) 100vw, 989px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Central African Republic<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Created and supported by Fondation Hirondelle, Radio Ndeke Luka, the media outlet with the largest audience in the Central African Republic, plays a key role in countering the mis- and disinformation that threatens the country&#8217;s social cohesion and stability. By broadcasting reliable, accessible and fact-checked news, Radio Ndeke Luka provides a vital alternative to the rumours and distortion spread by numerous sources both inside and outside the country. The project also focuses on media education, helping the public to better understand and decipher the news they consume. Radio Ndeke Luka runs local awareness-raising initiatives in towns and villages in the field linked to programmes broadcast by the station. In this way, the station helps strengthen communities\u2019 resilience to disinformation while fostering fact-based public discourse. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/central-african-republic\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/central-african-republic\">Learn more about the project<\/a><br><br><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Niger<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5568\" height=\"3712\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Salamatou-Kadri-journaliste-du-media-Kalangou-realise-linterview-dun-commercant-du-quartier-Harobanda-sur-la-question-de-la-cherte-de-la-citrouille.-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-23717\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.500066024032748;width:422px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.studiokalangou.org\/\">Studio Kalangou<\/a>, Fondation Hirondelle\u2019s media outlet in Niger, is committed to strengthening information integrity. On the editorial level, the studio produces debunking programmes on viral topics and publishes fact-checking articles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.studiokalangou.org\/\">on its website<\/a>. Every Thursday, it also broadcasts a radio column dedicated to media and information literacy (MIL). Studio Kalangou organises awareness-raising sessions for students and pupils, an initiative that is set to expand through the establishment of a pool of journalist-trainers across the country, in order to reach broader and a more diverse audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Studio Kalangou also addresses disinformation through the training of journalists on these issues. It applies and ensures compliance with the Editorial Charter and the Code of Ethics for the digital space\u00a0; contributes to the development of the team\u2019s digital skills through training and day-to-day support\u00a0; raises awareness within the team about the ethical challenges of online journalism (source protection, personal data, cybersecurity)\u00a0; supports journalists in covering sensitive online topics (disinformation, hate speech, manipulation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/europe\/ukraine\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/niger\">Learn more about the project<br><\/a><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignleft has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1821\" data-id=\"17993\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17993\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-768x546.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-1536x1093.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Fondation-Hirondelle_Boali_correspondant_18.12.2023-4-2048x1457.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Democratic Republic of Congo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Studio Hirondelle-RDC is committed to countering disinformation. Its fact-check journalism and disinformation analysis unit produces the programme <em>Vunja Uongo<\/em> (breaking the lie in Swahili), which deciphers the main rumours circulating among the population and denies false information. The fact-checks are also broadcast in digital formats, notably on &nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@hirondellerdc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tik Tok<\/a>&nbsp;and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/hirondellerdc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>. In addition, a pilot project supported by the FPI using AI to combat disinformation and hate speech is currently being developed in the east of the DRC. Using natural language processing (NLP &#8211; an AI tool), community radio stations in the east of the country are being monitored and violent speech detected. In response to this hate speech and false information, appropriate radio content is broadcast.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.studiohirondellerdc.org\/%f0%9f%8e%a7-aucun-element-factuel-ni-communication-officielle-ne-confirme-la-presence-de-joseph-kabila-a-goma-le-18-avril\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/democratic-republic-of-congo\">Learn about the project<\/a><br><br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">REFERENCE Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fondation Hirondelle holds regular discussions with its teams of journalists and media partners in the field, and with disinformation research and monitoring organisations. We have written a policy paper summarising our approach and our recommendations for stakeholders.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our policy paper from 2025: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Disinformation-policy-paper-2025.pdf\">&#8220;Strengthening information integrity &#8211; Towards a preventive and inclusive approach to disinformation&#8221;<\/a><br><br>Read our policy paper: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/s-en-tenir-aux-faits-creer-de-la-confiance-notre-reponse-a-la-desinformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/sticking-to-the-facts-building-trust-our-cure-for-disinformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sticking to the facts, building trust: Our cure for disinformation&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/a-reality-check-for-journalism-what-s-new-n-51-march-2017\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;A reality check for journalism&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/informing-in-the-era-of-social-media-mediation-n-4-january-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Informing in the Era of Social Media&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/les-medias-au-service-de-l-education-mediation-n-6-decembre-2020-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Media at the Service of Education&#8221;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mediation: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/battered-media-cannot-be-guarantors-of-democraty-mediation-n-11-july-2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&#8220;Medias and democracy&#8221;<\/a><br><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group p-3 backgroundedBlock--gray h-100 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Find out more about our research on these topics <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/knowledge-sharing\/research-and-learning#openDetail=desinformation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">here<\/span><\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>RELATED Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n<div data-truc=\"list69dd1447b9b07\" class=\"\"><div class=\"row list\"><div class=\"col-md-3 post d-flex align-items-stretch\"><article id=\"post-21823\" class=\"articleList-item post-21823  post\">\r\n\t<a class=\"post-thumb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/information-in-the-age-of-ia-mediation-n16-december-2025\" title=\"Information in the age of IA &#8211; Mediation N\u00b016, December 2025\">\r\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/000_1AP31T-500x250.jpg\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-auto wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t<a class=\"post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/information-in-the-age-of-ia-mediation-n16-december-2025\" title=\"Information in the age of IA &#8211; Mediation N\u00b016, December 2025\" rel=\"bookmark\">\r\n\t\tInformation in the age of IA &#8211; Mediation N\u00b016, December 2025\t<\/a>\r\n\t<\/article><\/div><div class=\"col-md-3 post d-flex align-items-stretch\"><article id=\"post-21825\" class=\"articleList-item post-21825  post\">\r\n\t<a class=\"post-thumb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/information-in-the-age-of-ia\" title=\"Information in the age of IA\">\r\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/000_1AP31T-500x250.jpg\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-auto wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t<a class=\"post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/information-in-the-age-of-ia\" title=\"Information in the age of IA\" rel=\"bookmark\">\r\n\t\tInformation in the age of IA\t<\/a>\r\n\t<\/article><\/div><div class=\"col-md-3 post d-flex align-items-stretch\"><article id=\"post-21832\" class=\"articleList-item post-21832  post\">\r\n\t<a class=\"post-thumb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/ai-and-journalism-an-approach-centered-on-human-responsibility\" title=\"Ai and journalism: An approach centered on human responsibility\">\r\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/JournalisteMali-500x250.png\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-auto wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t<a class=\"post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/ai-and-journalism-an-approach-centered-on-human-responsibility\" title=\"Ai and journalism: An approach centered on human responsibility\" rel=\"bookmark\">\r\n\t\tAi and journalism: An approach centered on human responsibility\t<\/a>\r\n\t<\/article><\/div><div class=\"col-md-3 post d-flex align-items-stretch\"><article id=\"post-21829\" class=\"articleList-item post-21829  post\">\r\n\t<a class=\"post-thumb\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/ai-enables-a-more-diversified-news-ecosystem\" title=\"Ai enables a more diversified news ecosystem\">\r\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Inde-mediation-article-phtoo-500x250.png\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-auto wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t<a class=\"post-title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/ai-enables-a-more-diversified-news-ecosystem\" title=\"Ai enables a more diversified news ecosystem\" rel=\"bookmark\">\r\n\t\tAi enables a more diversified news ecosystem\t<\/a>\r\n\t<\/article><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t<div class=\"text-center\">\r\n\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-fh-green\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/tag\/expertise-mis-and-disinformation\">See more articles<\/a>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The existence of trustworthy, independent media is vital to provide verified facts, counter rumours and ensure informed public discourse. Journalism makes it possible to distinguish between a fact and a lie, particularly in fragile situations where disinformation is often the first weapon to be deployed. Fondation Hirondelle is committed to defending the integrity of information [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":13624,"menu_order":9,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-without-column.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-13766","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-20 18:05:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"translation_priority","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13766"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23724,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13766\/revisions\/23724"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13624"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}