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September 13, 2024September 13, 2024 – Botswana –
Journalists from nine Southern African countries have formed a regional alliance to combat the growing threat of disinformation and misinformation, launching a coordinated campaign during a three-day conference held in Gaborone, Botswana, from September 10–12, 2024. The initiative, supported by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and UNESCO, brought together media union leaders from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The conference aimed to strengthen the capacity of journalists to respond to false information through a Training-of-Trainers program on Media and Information Literacy (MIL). Participants were equipped with tools for digital verification, fact-checking, and ethical reporting. The goal is to bolster newsroom defenses against manipulation while rebuilding public trust in journalism across the region.
A major outcome of the gathering was the formation of the Federation of Southern Africa Journalists (FESAJ), a new regional body that will coordinate efforts to counter disinformation and support press freedom. Elected leaders include Perfect Mswathi Hlongwane (Zimbabwe) as President, Marafaele Mohloboli (Lesotho) as Deputy President, Jemima Beukes (Namibia) as Secretary General, Phillimon Mmeso (Botswana) as Deputy Secretary General, and Cristina Maria Patricio Xavier (Mozambique) as Treasurer.
Participants also adopted a Regional Action Plan to guide future initiatives. Key priorities include strengthening MIL training at national levels, building cross-border networks for collaborative fact-checking, and advocating for policies that protect journalists from online and offline attacks linked to misinformation campaigns.
FAJ President Omar Faruk Osman warned that disinformation poses a direct threat to democratic values and the role of the media. He called on journalists to take the lead in defending the truth. IFJ Deputy General Secretary Tim Dawson praised the effort as a model of union-driven collaboration with a clear agenda and collective commitment.
This campaign marks the beginning of a broader push to replicate the model across all five African regions. As journalists face increasing digital threats, FESAJ’s launch is a crucial step toward building regional solidarity, defending media integrity, and ensuring that truth remains a cornerstone of public discourse.
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