Since January 2025, Fondation Hirondelle has been implementing a 24-month project in Chad, funded by the European Union, aimed at strengthening the resilience of populations against disinformation and promoting social cohesion through the production and dissemination of independent, inclusive, and verified information. At the heart of this initiative is a production and training unit based in N’Djamena, Studio Hirondelle-Chad, which helps strengthen media capacity and foster peaceful dialogue within Chadian society.
CONTEXT
The Chadian media landscape is built on a dense network of local radio stations that play a central role in community life and remain the country’s primary source of information. Despite their strong local roots, these media outlets operate in an environment challenged by technical, economic, and legal constraints, along with a need for training and equipment. In a national context marked by structural vulnerabilities—political, economic, climatic, and security-related—and by a gradual digital transformation, the spread of false information on social media and through traditional channels complicates access to reliable news. Independent media and civil society actors are doubling their efforts to address these challenges, but still lack the resources and synergies needed to fully play their role in strengthening public debate and social cohesion.
Project Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to foster social cohesion and resilience to disinformation in Chad. It is structured around three specific goals:
- Strengthen local media and their collaboration with civil society
- Combat disinformation and promote inclusive information
- Raise public awareness about information integrity through media literacy.
Main Activities
A production and training unit has been established in N’Djamena, inspired by Fondation Hirondelle’s studio model in the Sahel. Each week, it produces a multilingual radio program called “Voix de Toumaï” (in French, Chadian Arabic, and Sara), broadcast nationwide via a network of 10 partner radios, social media platforms, and potentially mobile applications.
In parallel, training sessions are organized to enhance the skills of Chadian journalists and media technicians, particularly in basic journalism, fact-checking, interview techniques, and information management. These trainings are accompanied by ongoing editorial coaching. Communication workshops are also offered to civil society organizations, particularly women’s groups, to strengthen their ability to speak out in the media.
Activities
- Production of a weekly multilingual radio program (in French, Chadian Arabic, and Sara), broadcast nationwide through a network of 10 partner radio stations, on social media, and via mobile applications
- Media literacy sessions for local journalists and civil society groups
- Organization of public sessions and post-broadcast discussion groups, to encourage audience engagement and adapt content to local realities
The project also includes the organization of public outreach sessions in different locations and post-broadcast discussion groups (focus groups), to encourage engagement with audiences and tailor content to local realities.
An Inclusive and Regional Approach
The project promotes better representation of women in the media, both as subjects and as actors of information. It also encourages community dialogue through public debates and participatory productions.
At the regional level, Chad joins Fondation Hirondelle studios in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in a mechanism for editorial co-production, cross-training, and knowledge exchange—particularly to jointly deconstruct misleading narratives circulating throughout the region.
Financial Volume 2025
1 362 869 CHF
Sources of funding
European Union
Our key figures for 2025
- 10 partner radio stations covering 10 regions
- 15 local professionals recruited to the production unit
- Around 30 media literacy sessions across the country
- 3 languages used (French, Chadian Arabic, Sara)
- 3 regional co-productions planned with other Central Sahel countries