Moscow has accused Western media of waging an "information war" against the Global South. However, investigations by Western outlets working with African partners have revealed that Russia is paying and training African journalists to promote its message. This overlap raises questions about the impact of Western journalism on Africa and what it leaves open for others to exploit. The issue has sparked a heated debate about the role of foreign media in Africa.
Investigations have uncovered evidence of Russian influence operations in several African countries. For example, France 24's "Project Afrika" investigation found that Russian agents were paying Senegalese journalists $250 to $700 per article to promote pro-Russian content. A journalist named in the investigation denied acting as an intermediary or being paid to publish content. In another case, journalist Ephrem Yalike, who was recruited by a Russian agent to push propaganda in the Central African Republic, blew the whistle from exile.
The consequences of Russian influence operations have been severe for some journalists. Four journalists in one Sahel country were arrested in March 2025 for helping publish Russian propaganda, particularly against France and Ukraine. Meanwhile, RT, a Kremlin-funded outlet, has trained over 1,000 journalists and bloggers from 35 African countries, according to its own claims. The aim of the training is to teach journalists to recognize propaganda, but critics argue that it is a way for Russia to promote its own narratives.
Western journalism has played a significant role in exposing Russian influence operations in Africa. Investigations by Forbidden Stories, a pan-African partner The Continent, France 24, and the BBC have uncovered secret networks and protected whistleblowers. These partnerships have given African audiences evidence to judge for themselves and have helped build skills and independence in many newsrooms. However, critics argue that Western media often focuses on negative stories, such as coups, conflict, and famine.
African audiences have long complained about coverage that treats the continent as one story and quotes outside experts before local ones. The lack of local funding and low wages for journalists create an environment in which offers of paid content or free training courses are tempting. Western media development money that dries up or comes with donor agendas leaves a similar gap. Russia does not need to invent grievances; it needs only to fund the outlets that voice them.
The critique of Western journalism is not without merit. Analysts note that Moscow has revived the Soviet practice of all-expenses-paid trips for foreign journalists and content creators. Russia denies wrongdoing in related areas, but evidence suggests that it is actively promoting its own narratives in Africa. The double standard is striking, with Moscow accusing the West of weaponizing information while paying for favourable coverage and training journalists to promote "alternative narratives."
To address these issues, African journalism needs to prioritize local funding and pay, as well as transparency and disclosure. Independent revenue and wages that don't make cash-for-content offers hard to refuse are essential. Additionally, African-led investigations and cross-border partnerships led by African editors can help expose influence operations and promote local voices. Western media must also prioritize quoting African analysts and reporters at the start of a story, not the end.
Key points
- Western journalism's impact on Africa is questioned amid allegations of Russian influence operations.
- Investigations have uncovered evidence of Russian influence operations in several African countries.
- African journalism needs to prioritize local funding and pay, as well as transparency and disclosure.
