# Fake news in Africa: In an age of disinformation, who decides what’s true?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/fake-news-in-africa-in-an-age-of-disinformation-who-decides-whats-true/
- Published: 2026-11-09T15:56:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T16:55:57+00:00
- Original publisher: DW (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.dw.com/en/fake-news-in-africa-in-an-age-of-disinformation-who-decides-what-s-true/a-79874039?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Topics: Africa, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- African efforts to fight misinformation risk curbing free speech.
- Civil society fact-checking often lacks year-round funding.
- More than 60% view China’s influence positively, versus 52% for the US.

## Summary

The article examines efforts across Africa to combat misinformation, particularly ahead of elections, and the tension between tackling false claims and protecting free speech. It argues that governments can use anti-disinformation measures to suppress criticism, while some also fail to address or actively spread misleading content.

Journalism lecturer Dani Madrid-Morales identifies scams, foreign influence operations and domestic political campaigns as three forms of disinformation. Civil society groups in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal work to counter false narratives, but their efforts often lack sustained funding outside election periods. The article also cites an Afrobarometer study in which more than 60% of respondents viewed China’s influence positively, compared with 52% for the United States; it describes media closures and journalist prosecutions in Burkina Faso and Mali.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.