Kinshasa – April 02, 2025 – On International Fact-checking Day, BALOBAKI CHECK launches a Fact-checker network in the Democratic Republic to broaden citizen engagement in the public arena and on social networks. The network brings together journalists from various DRC media and members of Congolese civil society organizations. Together, they will pool their resources and develop action plans to combat misinformation on social media and in the community.
Some 30 journalists from the DRC under the age of 40 have registered as members.
“In the past three years Balobaki Check has trained over 200 media journalists based in Kinshasa and various other cities around the country. Unfortunately, we noticed that the commitment to the fight against false information ended when the training session did. And in this context of security crisis, where people are confronted with misinformation and the spread of hate speech on social media, it’s crucial for us to rally our resources and take concerted action. Because it’s up to committed citizens, but above all journalists who have been educated about the risks, to enlighten opinion”, said Ange Kasongo, founder and director of Balobaki Check.
The Collective is committed to respecting the code of conduct set out in its charter, and to conducting online campaigns to contribute to media education within the community.
With nearly 70% of the Congolese population under the age of 24, this dynamic young population is an essential pillar of the country’s positive development. Young people bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to global challenges as innovators and leaders in their communities.
“We are fully aware of the scale of the task ahead of us. The period we are living through, often described as one of ‘information warfare’, requires a collective and structured response. The multiplication of information sources, sometimes unverified, calls into question the quality of public debate and the ability of citizens to make informed decisions”, said Dan Kalala, Congolese journalist and member of the Collective.
Balobaki Check, a major player in the French-speaking media space, works in fact-checking and media education.
For Balobaki Check
Ange KASONGO, Executive Director
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