A few months before the general elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the fight against disinformation and hate speech presents itself as a crucial issue. With this in mind, media professionals, representatives of civil society and political actors from the Oicha region participated in a seminar organized by MONUSCO to raise awareness and train these key actors on the dangers of disinformation and the mechanisms to be put in place to deal with it.
Disinformation and hate speech have devastating consequences on society. They can cause violence, destruction and even loss of life. This is why it is essential to train those who have a central role in the spread of these scourges, to help them distinguish between truthful information and fake news.
During this seminar, participants discussed ways to limit the spread of disinformation and hate speech, particularly in the run-up to the electoral campaign. Indeed, this period is often conducive to the manipulation of information and the dissemination of hate speech. The training provided by MONUSCO will enable trained social actors to play an active role in the fight against these toxic practices.
For representatives of civil society in Oicha, this training comes at the right time. Disinformation is a recurring problem in the region and it is essential to put in place prevention mechanisms to avoid slippage during the electoral period. Journalists, for their part, stressed the importance of filtering information before disseminating it, in order not to give in to political pressure and to preserve their role as spokespersons for the truth.
In conclusion, raising awareness and training on disinformation and hate speech are essential steps to combat these scourges which can have dramatic consequences. By training key players, it is possible to limit the spread of misinformation and promote constructive and respectful discourse. During this important electoral period, it is crucial to demonstrate vigilance and responsibility in the dissemination and consumption of information.