As Cameroon prepares for its upcoming elections, the National Stakeholder Consultation on Misinformation and Disinformation took place at Hotel Mont Febe, Yaounde. Organized by United Nations Human Rights in partnership with Local Youth Corner Cameroon (LOYOC), Civic Watch and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF Cameroon), the two-day event aimed to bring together key figures from various sectors to address the pressing issue of misinformation and disinformation with regards to the upcoming presidential election in the country.

Mr. Laurent Akobi from the UN Centre for Human Rights and Democracy opened the consultation with a call for unity. He stressed the importance of working together to combat misinformation and disinformation. He pointed out that misinformation not only undermines democratic processes but also threatens social stability and peace. His message of collaboration resonated with the diverse group of participants, including government officials, civil society organizations (CSOs), youth groups, media representatives, and international partners.

Mr. Laurent Akobi from the UN Centre for Human Rights and Democracy

Mr. Zogo Felix, Secretary General of Communication, expressed the government’s concerns over the growing threat of disinformation, especially with the upcoming elections. He emphasized the need for a national effort to ensure that communication remains factual and responsible. He urged all stakeholders to take proactive steps to counter false narratives and promote accurate information, highlighting that the integrity of the electoral process depends on it.

Mr. Zogo Felix, Secretary General of Communication

Dr. Desmond Ngala from Civic Watch delivered the keynote address titled “Empowering Voices, Combating Disinformation: Youth and Civil Society at the Frontline for Democratic Integrity.” Ngala spoke about the important role of youth and civil society in fighting false narratives and promoting democratic values. He stressed the need to empower these groups to actively combat disinformation, noting that their involvement is crucial for maintaining democratic integrity. “Fake news has taken the central stage and has resulted in violence”. The fear amongst particular communities to register for voting for fear of the unknown has even caused people to flee their homes. He further stated that when disinformation becomes the course of public for public discourse, it erodes the foundation of trust.

Dr. Desmond Ngala President of Civic Watch

Mr. Achaleke Christian from LOYOC provided an insightful presentation on the landscape of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech in Cameroon. He emphasized the moral responsibility of individuals to verify information before sharing it and criticized biased media discourse that indirectly promotes hate. His reflections highlighted the need for accurate and timely updates from the government to bridge information gaps and effectively combat misinformation.

Achaleke Christian, Executive Director of LOYOC

Panel 1: Identifying the Threats – How Hate Speech, Disinformation, and Misinformation Manifest in Cameroon

This panel explored how misinformation and hate speech are taking root in Cameroonian society. Moderated by FONYUY Kiven from the UN Human Rights Office, the discussion brought together voices from religious, media, youth, and peace organizations. The National Syndicate for Journalists highlighted how the Anglophone crisis has deepened media bias, leading to emotionally charged and partisan reporting. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom shared their work on countering hate speech through youth education and digital literacy. The National Youth Council pointed out that many young people, due to unemployment and frustration, are both victims and spreaders of toxic content online. Religious leaders from CIDIMUC emphasized the need for grassroots sensitization and announced an upcoming faith-based conference to address hate speech. The panel called for stronger education, unbiased enforcement of hate speech laws, and the promotion of values like dialogue and humanity.

Panel 2: Institutional and Legal Responses – What Exists and What is Missing?

This session, moderated by Barrister Felix Nkongho Agbor Balla of CHRDA, focused on the legal and institutional tools available to fight misinformation and hate speech. The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms stressed the importance of balancing freedom of expression with national stability. ELECAM, the electoral body, acknowledged the rise of electoral disinformation and called for more proactive public communication, noting its limited power to punish offenders. The Cameroon National Communication Council pointed to existing laws but admitted that enforcement remains weak due to vague definitions. Civic Watch raised concerns about selective law enforcement and shrinking civic space, urging civil society to move from passive observation to active engagement. The panel recommended clearer legal definitions, fair application of laws, and stronger collaboration between civil society and state institutions to rebuild trust and ensure peaceful elections.

Panel 3: Tech Media and Youth – Driving Solutions for Peaceful Digital Spaces

The final panel focused on the role of technology, media, and young people in shaping online spaces. Discussions centered on the relationship between traditional media, bloggers, and the National Communication Council, which is responsible for upholding journalism standards. This panel was moderated by Mr Achaleke Christian. Panelists stressed the need for accountability among journalists and content creators, especially in the digital age. A key point raised was the difference between fact-checking and journalism—fact-checking relies on publicly available data and follows a strict method, while investigative journalism often involves deeper, behind-the-scenes research. Access to reliable information was also highlighted as a major challenge for journalists. The panel encouraged the creation of digital tools and youth-led initiatives to promote accurate content and reduce the spread of harmful narratives online.

Panel 3

Interactive Working Groups

On the second day of the consultation, participants were divided into six interactive working groups, each tasked with exploring a specific area related to misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. These group discussions were designed to generate practical solutions and commitments that could be applied across different sectors, especially in the lead-up to the elections.

• Group A: Tools for Monitoring and Reporting Misinformation, Disinformation, and Hate Speech
  This group focused on identifying and proposing digital tools and community-based mechanisms for tracking harmful content online. They explored how technology can be used to detect and report false information in real time, and how to empower citizens to participate in this process.
• Group B: Gaps in the Legal and Political Framework
  Participants in this group examined the current laws and policies related to misinformation and hate speech. They discussed the need for clearer legal definitions, stronger enforcement, and the importance of ensuring that laws are applied fairly and without political bias.
• Group C: Youth Digital Literacy Initiatives
  This group looked at how to equip young people with the skills to navigate digital spaces responsibly. They proposed educational programs and campaigns to help youth identify false information, understand the impact of their online behavior, and become advocates for truth and peace.
• Group D: Prevention of Hate Speech and Misinformation in the Electoral Context
  With elections approaching, this group focused on strategies to prevent the spread of harmful content during the campaign period. They discussed the role of political parties, media, and electoral bodies in promoting accurate information and discouraging inflammatory rhetoric.
• Group E: Multi-party Coordination and Collaborative Frameworks
  This group explored how different stakeholders—government, civil society, media, and international partners—can work together more effectively. They emphasized the need for regular dialogue, shared responsibilities, and joint action plans to tackle misinformation and hate speech.
• Group F: Education and Empowerment – Reaching Communities at the Base
  The final group focused on grassroots engagement. They discussed how to reach communities that are often left out of digital conversations, using local languages, traditional media, and community leaders to spread awareness and build resilience against misinformation.

Roles and Responsibilities

Each stakeholder involved in the consultation has a vital role to play in combating misinformation and disinformation:

• Government Officials: Ensure proactive public information dissemination and enforce existing laws.
• Civil Society Organizations: Advocate for accurate information, educate communities, and participate actively in addressing root causes of misinformation.
• Youth Groups: Engage in critical media literacy and promote democratic values.
• Media Representatives: Uphold accountability in reporting and differentiate between factchecking and investigative journalism.
• International Partners: Support regional cooperation and harmonized efforts to mitigate hate narratives.

As Cameroon approaches its elections, the collaborative efforts from this consultation are crucial for safeguarding democratic integrity and promoting social stability. The commitment of all stakeholders to factual and responsible communication will play a pivotal role in ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process.