Empower 20 Young Journalists to Fight Fake News

1. General Context

In Goma, Eastern DRC, the population faces an overwhelming circulation of false information, fueled by insecurity and a lack of reliable media. Young people—who represent the future of the media sector—do not have the skills or equipment needed to respond effectively to this wave of disinformation.

In response, our project “Empower 20 Young Journalists to Fight Fake News” aims to train and equip 20 young journalists committed to restoring truth, providing quality information, and strengthening community trust.

2. Project Objective

The main objective is to give these 20 young journalists the knowledge, tools, and practical means to:

• Identify and counter fake news
• Produce reliable, structured, and verified content
• Deliver accurate real-time news via a web radio/TV studio
• Improve information flow and social stability in the region

3. Planned Activities

To achieve these goals, the project will focus on the following components:

1. Specialized Training
• Journalism and reporting techniques
• Fact-checking and fake news detection
• Ethics and professional standards
• Radio, TV, and web production
2. Provision of Essential Equipment
• Reporting kits (microphones, basic cameras, accessories)
• Computers for audio/video editing
• Internet access for verification and publication
3. Installation of a Web Radio/TV Mini Studio
• Fully equipped space for recording, editing, and broadcasting
4. Networking and Support
• Identification of qualified trainers
• Transparent selection of the 20 participants
• Continuous follow-up to ensure production quality

4. Current Progress

Several steps have already begun:

• Funds raised so far: 125 USD collected through GlobalGiving
• Ongoing identification of trainers and selected youth
• Planned official project launch: November 2025

These steps demonstrate the commitment of our team and partners to turning this meaningful and impactful project into reality.

5. Budget Overview (10,000 USD)

The overall budget is divided into broad categories, without excessive detail:

• Professional training
• Reporting equipment
• Web radio/TV studio installation
• Coordination, monitoring, and communication

Each expense will be managed transparently, following GlobalGiving guidelines and humanitarian standards.

6. Expected Impact

In the long term, this project will:

• Develop a new generation of committed young journalists
• Significantly reduce misinformation in local communities
• Strengthen public trust in reliable media
• Directly contribute to peace, stability, and social cohesion
• Create a sustainable media center accessible to future youth

The 20 trained journalists will become key actors of truth, providing their community with reliable and independent information.

7. Call to Donors

We sincerely thank those who have already contributed 125 USD. Their generosity marks the beginning of a positive momentum.

However, much remains to be done. To reach the 10,000 USD goal, we call on all donors, partners, and individuals committed to fighting disinformation.

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to making this transformative project possible.

With the support of GlobalGiving, we are confident that we will reach our goal and achieve lasting impact.

8. Acknowledgments

Thank you to everyone who supports, encourages, and believes in this initiative.
Thank you to all future donors who will help offer 20 young people a professional future and provide thousands of people with access to reliable information.