Bouar and Fake News

By Karine ALLOUCHE | LAMINE MEDIA Translated into English by Gwenaëlle DE LACAN

(Bangui, August 31, 2026 | LAMINE MEDIA) In the Central African Republic, the spread of misinformation is not limited to social media. In the provinces, traditional word-of-mouth proves to be the most formidable vector. To break this cycle, the organization Centrafrique Check gathered twenty community leaders in Bouar (Nana-Mambéré prefecture) to equip them against fake news. A popular French saying often notes that "rumor takes the elevator, while information takes the stairs." In Bouar, this metaphor is a daily reality. Far from the digital streams of the capital, misinformation here is primarily informal, direct, and rooted in local habits. Local authorities share this view, acknowledging that the population too often lives according to the rhythm of these rumors. A grassroots response is taking shape. The association Centrafrique Check launched an awareness-raising session focused on information reliability and verification techniques (fact-checking). Financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), this workshop primarily targets influential figures in the region. The goal is clear: to turn these local leaders into shields capable of stopping false rumors before they spread through their communities. Countering street-level misinformation: Line Britney Ngalingbo, Executive Director of Centrafrique Check, highlights the urgent need for intervention in the provinces: "Before launching this activity, we noticed that the population of Bouar is particularly exposed to the spread of rumors via word-of-mouth. Our current aim is to provide 20 community leaders with strategies and mechanisms to combat this rapid spread." "The aim is to help reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, whether online or through informal channels." The initiative does not stop there. To ensure the truth regains ground, training will continue in the coming days, extending to journalists from the city's community radio stations—vital conduits for verified information.

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and GB)

Date: 31 August 2026

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