Better Inform Tomorrow: end of the Paris forum on a note of satisfaction

Opened on July 11, 2023, the media and development forum organized by CFI in Paris ended this Thursday, July 13.

In total, nearly three hundred (300) participants from 45 countries around the world were present at this meeting of exchanges between media professionals, researchers, technical and financial partners but also civil society actors. Over three days several themes were debated, among others: journalism and climate, fact checking, artificial intelligence, social networks. A CFI initiative committed to promoting the development of media in Africa, the Arab world and Southeast Asia.

Delivering the welcome address, the CEO of Canal France International (CFI), the French media development agency, Thierry VALLAH was very happy to welcome the participants to this forum whose theme is “Better Inform Tomorrow”.“It is a great honor to welcome you all to Paris. Truth, transparency, respect, honesty, all these values, we share. »

Better Inform Tomorrow, a big challenge

Faced with a growing rise in accounts on social networks and even traditional media spreading false information, the battle against disinformation is far from won. However, the involvement and commitment of all stakeholders can make the work of journalists not difficult.

In any case, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, Secretary of State for Development, Francophonie and International Partnerships, underlined the importance of total commitment to disinformation.“We must be uncompromising in the face of false information. We must promote free, reliable, plural and quality information throughout the world.

Commitment

The meeting allowed participants to share experiences and tools to practice journalism not only to better inform populations on climate issues, but also to better investigate secret organizations, and to fight against disinformation.“It was a very enriching meeting, as a beneficiary of the Terra Africa Project, I feel happy to have participated in these exchanges. The themes were rich”Marthe Akissi, radio journalist in Côte d’Ivoire, told us.

Idiatou Camara, director of radio environment Guinea took part in this forum. She returns satisfied“We have an important role to play and to do this we need to stand up and fight against misinformation and provide useful information to our communities to save our environment. This forum was a great opportunity to remind journalists of their responsibility to provide better information. »

We recall that its media as well as other Guinean media and four other West African countries are selected by CFI on behalf of the Terra Africa Project, an initiative which aims to support journalists in terms of training but also support for the production of content on climate change. 

The participants fully appreciate the initiative and return to their respective countries with the strong conviction of Informer Mieux Demain.

Alpha Oumar Bagou BARRY from Paris for AJSG