Version Film, NDI AZERTY

Summary

The video script discusses the threat of disinformation to Senegal's robust democracy, historically a beacon of hope in Africa. It details the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) initiative to combat electoral disinformation through a 12-month program aimed at enhancing media literacy, training journalists and influencers, and bolstering public resilience against false information. The program's impact includes fostering a more transparent and peaceful electoral process, highlighting the importance of accurate information in maintaining Senegal's democratic stability.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Senegal, known as the 'father of Teranga', has been a model of democracy in Africa, offering hope to the continent and beyond since its independence.
• 🗣️ The country's vibrant democracy is expressed through lively debates, peaceful alternations of power, and massive citizen participation in elections.
• 🔍 However, Senegal's exemplary democracy now faces a new and insidious threat: electoral disinformation, which can undermine the foundations of democracy.
• 📢 Disinformation is the deliberate spread of false information with malicious intent, affecting global democracies by destabilizing institutions and eroding social cohesion.
• 📱 The rise of social media has exacerbated the spread of disinformation, as unverified information can quickly circulate with disastrous consequences.
• 🛡️ The National Democratic Institute (NDI), with support from the National Endowment for Democracy, launched a program called 'Sénégal Atténuer la désinformation' to combat disinformation in Senegal.
• 👥 The program aimed to strengthen resilience against disinformation, especially among young people, by providing tools and training for media professionals, bloggers, and influencers to verify information.
• 🎓 It also focused on improving media education for Senegalese citizens and consolidating resilience against the spread of disinformation.
• 📅 The program officially started on March 31, 2023, with a series of workshops and training sessions across Senegal, including specialized training for media technicians and addressing gender-based disinformation.
• 🎵 A mega concert named 'Réseaux Soci à G' was organized on December 8, 2023, to raise awareness about the dangers of disinformation through music, reaching a broad local audience.
• 🏆 In June 2024, NDI, in collaboration with its partner Azerti, organized a competition called 'Ibarul' to support initiatives against disinformation, especially those led by young activists and journalists.

Q & A

What is the significance of the term 'Teranga' in the context of Senegal?

Teranga is a Wolof word that embodies the spirit of Senegalese hospitality, generosity, and community. It is a cultural value that has come to represent Senegal's identity and is often used to describe the warm welcome visitors receive in the country.

How has Senegal demonstrated its commitment to democracy since its independence?

Senegal has demonstrated its commitment to democracy through its political history, which includes peaceful debates, peaceful alternations of power, and massive citizen participation in elections. It has shown the world that it is possible to build a solid and durable democracy based on dialogue, mutual respect, and consensus.

What is the new threat facing Senegal's exemplary democracy?

The new threat facing Senegal's democracy is the spread of disinformation, which can contaminate minds, poison debates, and erode trust. This includes the proliferation of false information or the manipulation of information with hidden or unforeseen intentions.

How does disinformation affect democratic institutions globally?

Disinformation affects democratic institutions globally by undermining their stability, destroying social cohesion, and eroding citizens' trust in political, social, and religious institutions. It can lead to tensions and disputes, even in well-organized elections, due to the spread of false information.

What is the role of social media in the spread of disinformation during elections?

Social media plays a significant role in the spread of disinformation during elections by allowing unverified information to be disseminated quickly without proper fact-checking, leading to potential negative consequences and misinformation.

What is the National Democratic Institute's (NDI) initiative to combat disinformation in Senegal?

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has launched an ambitious program called 'Sénégal Atténuer la désinformation' aimed at strengthening resistance to disinformation, particularly among young people, by providing tools and training for media professionals, bloggers, and influencers to verify information and reduce the spread of false news.

What were the key objectives of the 'Sénégal Atténuer la désinformation' program?

The key objectives of the 'Sénégal Atténuer la désinformation' program were to enhance media education among Senegalese citizens, consolidate resilience against the spread of disinformation, and share challenges related to disinformation during election periods to help people verify information before making decisions.

How did the NDI engage with various stakeholders to address disinformation?

The NDI engaged with various stakeholders, including media professionals, bloggers, influencers, political parties, civil society organizations, and marginalized groups, by organizing training sessions, workshops, and awareness campaigns to educate on the dangers of disinformation and to equip them with the necessary tools to combat it.

What specific actions did the NDI take to support women in politics facing gender-based disinformation?

The NDI organized a workshop on June 22, 2023, to address gender-based disinformation, which allowed for the identification of various forms of disinformation targeting women in politics, sharing experiences, and proposing solutions to fight against this threat.

How did the NDI's program contribute to the transparency and calmness of the electoral process in Senegal?

The NDI's program contributed to a more transparent and calm electoral process by training journalists, bloggers, young people, and civil society organizations to avoid disinformation, and by collaborating with key actors to ensure accurate information was shared, which in turn attracted the attention of professionals and positively impacted the conduct of elections.

What were the significant achievements of the 'Sénégal Atténuer la désinformation' program?

The program achieved significant progress by enhancing the understanding of the regulatory framework, strengthening the capacity for information verification, and increasing public awareness about the dangers of disinformation, leading to a more informed, just, and free Senegal.