The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) has warned that information integrity across Africa is under serious threat, as governments’ failure to guarantee access to information is fueling misinformation, disinformation and online chaos.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Sunday, September 28, 2026, to mark the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
According to the Pan-African body, the public’s right to reliable information must be urgently protected by African governments because access to information is essential to democracy, peace, social stability, public accountability and people’s ability to take part in decisions that affect their lives.
This year’s commemoration is on the theme: “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
FAJ says the theme speaks directly to a crisis already shaping public debate across the continent.
The Federation lamented that false election claims, rumours shared in WhatsApp groups, and AI-generated audios and videos are now circulating widely during elections, conflicts and emergencies, fueling tensions and eroding public trust.
It noted that secrecy and deliberate delays in releasing information leave communities with fewer facts to verify, while barriers related to language, location and internet connectivity continue to shut millions out of reliable information.
“Information integrity cannot be built on secrecy, censorship or attacks on journalists because these practices deny people unfettered access to information,” FAJ President, Omar Faruk Osman, said.
He added: “Governments must release information promptly and openly. Journalists must be able to report freely and safely, and the public must have the facts to challenge falsehoods and hold decision-makers to account.”
FAJ is therefore urging every African Union Member State to bring its national laws and practices into conformity with the Model Law on Access to Information for Africa.
The Federation said states that already have access-to-information laws must implement and enforce them fully, while those without such laws must adopt legislation that meets the standards of the Model Law.
Beyond passing laws, FAJ said governments must make information accessible in languages people understand and remove practical barriers that make it difficult for ordinary citizens to obtain public information.
The Federation also strongly rejected censorship and greater state control – whether imposed through legal or extra-legal means – as a response to disinformation, misinformation and hate speech.
It argued that repression is not a solution to information disorder.
Instead, FAJ is calling for strong, independent journalism, safe working conditions for journalists, and massive investment in media literacy for citizens.
The body disclosed that it is advancing continental efforts to strengthen information integrity and is calling on digital platforms to be more transparent about how they recommend and moderate content.
The International Day for Universal Access to Information is marked every September 28 to highlight the importance of the right to information as a cornerstone of good governance and development.
