Savanes Youth: At the Forefront of the Fight Against Fake News

"I am young, I have a mobile phone, I buy my mobile data, and no one tells me what I should or should not share.” Yobi Inoussa, a young Fulbe from Kpendjal-Ouest prefecture

Amidst a severe security crisis in Togo’s Savanes region, often marked by violent extremist attacks, misinformation spreads rapidly through social media platforms, even in remote areas, thanks to increased smartphone and internet access. This has exacerbated vulnerabilities and stigmatized certain ethnic groups, particularly the Fulbe community, by spreading false narratives that link them to extremist activities.?

However, with support from USAID/OTI's Littorals Regional Initiative (LRI) a transformation is underway. Young people, like Yobi Inoussa, who were once unwitting spreaders of mis- and disinformation, are now at the forefront of promoting digital literacy and community resilience—and underscoring the critical need for media literacy in an increasingly connected world.

Building Digital Resilience

In March, USAID/OTI partnered with the Centre d'Observation et d'Analyse du Web (COAWEB) to launch a multi-faceted training program targeting young people from the prefectures of Kpendjal, Kpendjal-Ouest, Cinkassé, and T?ne. The initiative began with an intensive training of trainers for 40 youth, equipping them with practical skills in video editing, fact-checking, information verification tools, and legal measures regarding mis- and disinformation. They also learned to effectively use social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok to disseminate accurate information. "The training enlightened me," said Yobi Inoussa, who was a participant in the training, at the end of day one. "I’ve now started to differentiate between [hearsay] information and verified information.’’

Following the training, COAWEB organized one-day feedback workshops on mis/disinformation for youth in each prefecture, bringing together more than 500 young people, and led by the newly-minted trainers. Central to the workshops’ success was their embrace of technology. Participants learned to use cutting-edge fact-checking tools, and social media platforms to disseminate accurate information. This tech-savvy approach resonated with the youth, turning them into active agents in the fight against misinformation.

Leveraging Social Media Influencers

To expand the initiative’s impact, in June, ten social media influencers received support from COAWEB to produce short sensitization videos in French and in local languages. Broadcast on a range of social media networks, these videos focused on the importance of fact checking and verifying information before sharing.

The initiative also included radio and web journalists who have integrated training, awareness, and educational shows into their radio programming and online content. Using skills learned in the TOT training, online radio journalist and host Doumone Kasan has trained nearly 50 young people in Dapaong on techniques to identify false information, and also hosts interactive radio shows to educate a broader audience about mis- and disinformation. In addition, Kasan creates video and photo content to raise awareness among his listeners, especially youth.

By empowering young people with the tools and knowledge to combat mis- and disinformation, OTI is fostering a more informed and cohesive community. Where youth were once actively disseminating misinformation, they are now helping to stop it. This shift in youth engagement is a testament to the program's success, and its potential to create lasting positive change in the Savanes region.?

This effort aligns with USAID's broader goals of enhancing media literacy, promoting digital citizenship, and strengthening community resilience, ultimately contributing to a more stable and cohesive society.