Covering elections and fighting disinformation in Benin
From December 8 to 12, fifteen Beninese journalists participated in a training program on ethical election coverage and electoral disinformation in Cotonou. The session took place one month before the local and legislative elections that are scheduled for January 2026. It was organized by DW Akademie, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Benin.
Throughout the sessions, DW Akademie facilitators Sally Bilaly Sow and Annick Rachel Kandolo shared essential practices for ethical coverage as well as tools to counter information disorders during election periods.
Participants began the training session online on December 8 due to a failed coup attempt on Sunday, December 7. The preliminary session allowed for the presentation of the program and collection of participants' expectations. The following day, they conducted group work on radio and online press. In the afternoon, journalists from various radio stations and online outlets discussed the legal framework for elections in Benin.
“Strengthening democratic values”
On December 11, during a visit to the training venue, the ambassador for the Federal Republic of Germany to Benin, Dr. Stefan Buchwald, praised the continuation of the training session despite the situation created by the failed coup attempt over the weekend.
"The coup attempt reminded us how quickly disinformation can spread, especially on and through social media," said the ambassador.
"It is therefore particularly important, in such an exceptional situation, to be able to count on reliable and verified media coverage," said Buchwald, reflecting on Germany's commitment through its "African Policy Guidelines" published last January.
This is why, he insisted, "Germany also supports projects in these areas in Benin, particularly projects and initiatives that promote and strengthen democratic values."
Wanda Poitschke, a representative for DW Akademie, welcomed the opportunity for a partnership between her organization and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in support of journalism.
Meanwhile, Nouratou Zato, director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Benin, emphasized to the participating journalists the important work they are committed to. "Information must be handled with utmost care, especially during election periods," Zato said.
Checking the facts
The training focused on providing hands-on approaches and practical tools for the journalists to use in their work.
"My expectations were met, particularly with the session on fact-checking,” said Koukoudoui Bernice, a journalist at Voice of Lalama. “I am now able to conduct reverse image searches and follow verification protocols. I can now distinguish facts from opinions.”
Gbogbo Joseph, representative of Benin's High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication, stated he was particularly pleased that the training on media coverage of elections also focused on fact-checking. “This allowed everyone to understand that, beyond the activities we conduct, we are obligated to stick to our professional ethics in order to deliver truthful information to the public," he said.
Gbékan Firmin, vice president of the Observatory for Ethics and Professional Standards in Media (ODEM), intends to approach other partners to deepen the fact-checking aspects of the training. Firmin sees a pressing need for such training, "especially during this election period we find ourselves in."
The training was organized by DW Akademie and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation with the goal to support free elections and healthy information ecosystems in Benin.
