Penplusbytes Consults Ivorian Officials on New Disinformation Index Before October Elections

In a significant move to combat electoral disinformation, Penplusbytes has expanded its regional initiative to Côte d’Ivoire, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen democratic resilience ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.

The Abidjan gathering assembled government officials, civil society organizations, academics, and media professionals to develop strategies against false information that threatens electoral integrity. This event follows a similar successful convening held in Accra, Ghana last month, marking a consistent effort to address disinformation across West Africa.

The initiative, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), is being implemented by Penplusbytes in collaboration with West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) and the Sahel Institute for Democracy and Governance, highlighting the cross-border, collaborative approach to tackling this regional challenge.

Central to the discussions was the Disinformation Index Report (DIR), which provides an evidence-based assessment of disinformation trends across Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Researcher Rebecca Avusu from Penplusbytes presented findings specific to Côte d’Ivoire, which ranked second behind Ghana among the four nations studied.

The report revealed promising metrics for Côte d’Ivoire, which achieved a 90% score in universal detection of misinformation. Additionally, 53% of respondents reported that they verify content before sharing it, while 50% said they report misinformation or disinformation to platform administrators. These figures suggest a growing awareness and active civic engagement in combating false information, potentially providing valuable lessons for neighboring countries.

Participants highlighted the increasing prevalence of disinformation on social media platforms, with WhatsApp identified as a particular concern. The discussions emphasized the critical importance of fact-checking and mindful media consumption as first-line defenses against false information.

Jerry Sam, Executive Director of Penplusbytes, underscored the organization’s commitment to regional solutions. “Fostering cross-border collaboration and evidence-based strategies that strengthen democratic resilience across West Africa is essential,” Sam stated. “By bringing together governments, civil society, media, and citizens, we aim to build a regional ecosystem capable of detecting, countering and ultimately reducing the harmful impact of disinformation on our democratic processes. Disinformation knows no borders, and neither can our response.”

The Independent Electoral Commission of Côte d’Ivoire also weighed in on the significance of the gathering, especially as the country prepares for its presidential campaign period. A representative emphasized that “the integrity of information circulating among voters is as essential as the integrity of the ballot itself.” The Commission called on all electoral stakeholders—candidates, media organizations, civil society groups, and citizens alike—to prioritize accuracy in political discourse.

“When voters have access to credible information, free from manipulation and falsehood, they can make informed choices that reflect their true will, ensuring peaceful and legitimate elections that strengthen our democratic foundations,” the representative added.

The convening created a valuable platform for stakeholders to share experiences, identify vulnerabilities specific to the Ivorian context, and recommend practical measures to limit disinformation’s influence on democratic processes. This knowledge exchange represents a key component of Penplusbytes’ broader strategy to promote cross-border learning and enhance regional resilience against false information.

As elections approach in Côte d’Ivoire, the timing of this initiative carries particular significance. The country, like many in West Africa, faces complex political dynamics that can be exacerbated by the spread of false information. By bringing together diverse stakeholders now, the initiative aims to establish robust mechanisms to identify and counter disinformation before it can undermine electoral integrity.

The expansion of this initiative to multiple West African nations reflects a growing recognition that disinformation represents a transnational challenge requiring coordinated responses across borders, especially as the region navigates several important electoral processes in the coming years.