AI content, WhatsApp rumours raise fresh concerns at African journalists forum

The rapid spread of false claims, online rumours and artificial intelligence-generated content is presenting new challenges for journalists and the public, the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has said.

In a statement marking the International Day for Universal Access to Information in Nairobi, FAJ said the growth of digital platforms had made it easier for misleading information to reach large audiences, particularly during elections, conflicts and emergencies.

This year’s international theme is “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”

FAJ said false election claims, rumours circulated through WhatsApp groups and AI-generated audio and video were among the forms of content contributing to an increasingly complex information environment across Africa.

The federation said the availability of reliable official information was important in enabling journalists and citizens to verify claims before accepting or sharing them.

FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman said governments had a responsibility to provide timely and accessible information while allowing journalists to operate independently and safely.

“Governments must release information promptly and openly. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely, and the public must have the facts to challenge falsehoods and hold decision-makers to account,” Osman said.

The federation said barriers to accessing information could worsen the problem. It cited secrecy, delays in releasing information, language differences, geographical limitations and inadequate connectivity as factors that can prevent sections of the population from obtaining reliable information.

FAJ called on African Union member states to implement access-to-information laws effectively and, where such laws are absent, adopt legislation consistent with the Model Law on Access to Information for Africa.

The organisation also urged governments to ensure that information is provided in languages understood by the communities they serve.

At the same time, FAJ rejected censorship and increased state control as solutions to misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.

It instead advocated for independent journalism, safer working conditions for journalists and increased media and information literacy to help citizens assess information circulating online.

The federation also called on digital platforms to improve transparency around how content is recommended and moderated.

The debate comes as news organisations increasingly operate in an environment where professionally produced journalism competes for attention with user-generated content, manipulated material and synthetic media.

FAJ said strengthening information integrity requires cooperation between governments, media organisations, journalists, citizens and technology companies.

It said access to credible information remains central to enabling citizens to participate in public affairs, scrutinise decisions by public institutions and distinguish verified information from false or manipulated claims.

The federation said efforts to address information disorder should therefore protect both the public’s access to reliable information and the ability of journalists to independently investigate and report matters of public interest.