The rise of social media and artificial intelligence has significantly altered the production, dissemination, and consumption of information in Cameroon. While these technologies provide journalists with rapid access to content, they also facilitate the spread of rumors, false information, and manipulated content. A recent example of this phenomenon occurred during the presidential election on October 12, 2025, when a publication falsely attributed to Jeune Afrique announced the victory of Issa Tchiroma Bakary with 61% of the votes.
This fake news spread rapidly on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, and was even picked up by some media outlets, including the private newspaper La Nouvelle Expression. However, after verification by DataCheck, it was revealed that the magazine had not published such an article, and the official results had not yet been announced. This incident is not an isolated case, as misleading or manipulated content continues to proliferate on social media. For instance, a note falsely attributed to Mbog Liaa announced the ban of "Dimanche Taro" on Bassa'a territory, causing widespread circulation on social media before being debunked.
To combat this phenomenon, media professionals in Cameroon are implementing various control mechanisms to avoid spreading false information. At the daily newspaper Mutations, caution is the primary defense against this reality. According to Michel Ferdinand, deputy editor-in-chief, the approach to new information on social media is one of prudence, involving rigorous verification before journalistic exploitation. The principle is to verify the authenticity of a document, the accuracy of facts, and to cross-check sources before publication.
Alain Ghislain Kanga, deputy editor-in-chief at Canal 2 International, shares this conviction, emphasizing that the battle against disinformation begins with a fundamental rule: never publishing unverified information. At Canal 2 International, they work with identified sources, verified facts, and a strict editorial chain that does not take shortcuts under the pressure of digital media. The use of AI is limited to specific cases, such as documentary research and data processing, while editorial decisions remain human-driven.
In the newsroom, social media is considered a starting point, not a primary source of information. A viral publication triggers a complementary investigation, involving tracking down primary sources, contacting at least two independent interlocutors, verifying the geographical and temporal context of an image or video, and cross-checking information against established facts. Tools like Google Reverse Image Search and InVID aid in visual verification.
Despite these efforts, instances of relaying inaccurate information have occurred, and corrections have become a professional reflex. When a false information has circulated and the outlet has inadvertently relayed an inexact element, they correct it on air, clearly and without hesitation. The correction receives the same editorial space as the initial information, as a matter of trust with the audience.
The pressure of speed remains a significant challenge for newsrooms, with the risk of confirming information before verifying it. However, experienced journalists must resist this pressure, prioritizing accuracy over rapidity. Media outlets that adapt to this new reality and prioritize trust will be the ones to survive, according to Alain Ghislain Kanga.
Key points
- Media outlets in Cameroon are implementing stricter verification processes to combat disinformation spread through social media and AI-generated content.
