Burkina Faso: Authorities issue stern warning against disinformation and cyber threats
Faced with the proliferation of false information and the threat of cyberattacks targeting the stability of the country, the Superior Council of Communication (CSC) and the Central Brigade for the Fight against Cybercrime (BCLCC) are stepping up. During a seminar-workshop for communications directors and managers of public media, authorities issued a solemn call for vigilance, while reminding that the management of digital platforms now exposes those responsible to severe criminal penalties.
Under the theme “Management of Digital Platforms for Media Outlets of Ministries and Institutions: What Approach for Information Serving Peace and Social Cohesion?”, this gathering aimed to equip public communicators.
But beyond the technical aspects, the main message delivered by experts from the CSC and BCLCC was unequivocal: it is imperative to exercise greater responsibility when publishing information, under penalty of facing the full rigor of the law.
In the digital age, where a simple rumor can inflame minds and threaten social cohesion, the Facebook pages, X accounts (formerly Twitter), and websites of institutions play a central role.
They are both showcases and reference sources of information. However, this strategic position also makes them prime targets for manipulators and hackers.
Authorities therefore urged those responsible for these platforms to no longer view themselves as simple information relays, but as guardians of social peace.
“It’s not just about posting content. You have to verify your sources, train your teams, and secure your accounts,” was emphasized during the discussions.
The main warning concerns disinformation. Sharing unverified information, even unintentionally, can have disastrous consequences in an already fragile security context.
The reminders also carried a very firm legal tone. The CSC and BCLCC made a point of stressing that the digital space is not a lawless zone.
The dissemination of “fake news” is now considered a serious offense, liable to prosecution. “If you fall into the trap of disinformation, you risk falling under the grip of the law,” experts warned.
The collaboration between the media regulator and cybercrime investigators aims precisely to track down such abuses.
By training DCRPs (Department Heads of Communication and Press Relations) and editors of state media, the goal is to create a bulwark against destabilization attempts.
The stakes are high: ensuring that public information remains a factor for peace and not an accelerator of tensions.
At the conclusion of this seminar, participants left with a heightened awareness of their criminal and societal responsibility.
In the information war that Burkina Faso is engaged in, the first line of defense remains the professional rigor of those who wield the digital pen.
Olivier TOE
