HATE SPEECH AND DISINFORMATION IN CAMEROON
Participation in the national consultation from 14 to 15 May 2025 at the Mont Fébé Hotel, for a collective and sustainable action in favor of social cohesion and democratic integrity.
National consultation on disinformation, misinformation and hate speech in Cameroon – From 14 to 15 May 2025 at the Mont Fébé Hotel, organized by ‘United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa‘, in collaboration with its partners (UNESCO, LOYOC, Civic Watch and WILPF Cameroon).
The stakeholder consultation meeting aimed at fostering a collaborative approach among key actors in Cameroon to combat disinformation, misinformation and hate speech, and thus promote social cohesion and democratic integrity. It is indeed a question of providing a solid and coordinated response to the challenges of disinformation and misinformation.
The meeting brought together associations of journalists (SNJC, CAMASEJ, CAMP), bloggers, academics, CSOs, the National Youth Council, the CNC, Elections Cameroon, sectoral ministries such as MINAT, MINCOM and MINJUSTICE.
This activity is part of international and regional initiatives, including the UN Strategy on Hate Speech (2019), and sub-regional coordination efforts led by UNESCO. The official opening ceremony was chaired by the representative of the Minister of Communication, Prof. Félix Zogo.
In his welcoming remarks, the Representative of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa: while recalling the global and regional context of hate speech, he highlighted their harmful impact on social cohesion and emphasized the opportunities for dialogue and collective action, especially in a sensitive electoral context in Cameroon marked by an upsurge in hate speech and the proliferation of false information.
The Professor Félix Zogo , representative of the Minister of Communication welcomed the initiative and recalled the existing Cameroonian legal framework against hate speech, while calling for relevant recommendations in view of the upcoming elections, which should be peaceful. The national consultation will have to make a thorough diagnosis and a collective commitment of stakeholders. A concerted action rooted in Cameroonian realities is more than urgent.
The work focused on several topics discussed on 03 panels namely:
– Panel 1: Identify threats and manifestations of hate speech, of
disinformation and misinformation in Cameroon
– Panel 2: The institutional and legal responses: state of play: achievements
and deficiencies
– Panel 3: Technology, media and youth – Driving solutions for
peaceful digital spaces
At the end of the work, several recommendations were made, including the creation of a national stakeholder platform against these scourges. These recommendations will be presented soon in the context of a high-level meeting.
