Burkina: The NGO Acra Builds Journalists' Capacity to Combat Misinformation

In response to security challenges and the rise of disinformation, the NGO Acra is organizing a capacity-building workshop for journalists on August 4 and 5, 2026, in Ouagadougou. As part of the Pense Libre project, this session will focus on conflict-sensitive journalism, combating disinformation, the responsible use of social media and artificial intelligence, and more. Through this initiative, the organization aims to contribute to higher-quality news coverage and strengthen the media’s role in promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in Burkina Faso.

The media play a vital role in the security crisis currently affecting Burkina Faso. “They inform, raise awareness, educate, and influence public opinion. They can help bring communities together, promote dialogue, and highlight positive initiatives. Conversely, when unverified information or hate speech are involved, they can inadvertently fuel tensions and further undermine social cohesion,” said Amidou Koné, representative of the Minister of Solidarity, Lieutenant Colonel Pélagie Kaboré, who is the patron of this workshop being held with journalists.

As part of the Pense Libre project, which operates in Chad, Senegal, Guinea, and Burkina Faso, the NGO Acra aims to equip journalists with the tools to address various topics: disinformation, conflict-sensitive journalism, and the use of social media and artificial intelligence. “Today, a lot is happening on social media. There is information that undermines social cohesion. Our goal is to enable everyone to share accurate information on social media, promote social cohesion, and foster a sense of community,” explained Madiné Poingar, Acra’s country coordinator in Burkina Faso.

It should be noted that the opening ceremony for this workshop was attended by Louis Modeste Ouédraogo, president of the High Council for Communication (CSC). In his speech, he praised the NGO’s initiative. “We particularly welcome this training, which will enable media professionals to deepen their knowledge of fact-checking mechanisms, techniques for combating disinformation, the responsible use of digital platforms, and communication approaches that promote social cohesion,” he said, while encouraging journalists to take advantage of this opportunity.

Source: lefaso.net/