With support from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), Africa Check, the continent’s leading independent fact-checking organisation, will implement a four-year multi-pronged project to fight misinformation and strengthen democracy.

As our experience in Kenya shows, Africa Check’s Fact Ambassador programme has boosted our multi-tentacular approach to fighting false information online and offline.

The internet has become a powerful tool for social advocacy. Campaigners are increasingly relying on Digital Storytelling (DST) to get their message across and garner support for their cause. The power shift from powerful institutions into the hands of grassroots communities has given activists a larger platform to organise engagements and build momentum for movements. However, it is important to note that online media consumers exist in the era of what has been duped by the attention economy and information overload. Your campaign runs the risk of getting lost in the plethora of available digital content, if you do not portray a compelling story.

In a world often saturated with negative news and stories, the power of positive narratives shines like a beacon of hope. Positive narratives are stories that uplift, inspire, and promote optimism, focusing on the triumph of the human spirit, acts of kindness, and the potential to incite positive change.

In the international media market, the children's news programme is a television format with a decades-long history in many countries. This is a complex, mindset-shaping programme aimed at 8-12 year olds. In Europe, the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) “Newsround” and the German Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen (ZDF) “Logo!” are the leading examples.

An engaging storytelling ability is crucial to catch the attention of an ever-distracted audience. The best stories share the same essential elements, arranged in a specific order to gradually build tension, that makes us want to find out what happens next. Let’s learn together how to build a powerful story that our audience won't be able to keep their eyes off!

Have you ever found yourself trying to shape your communication strategy when the cause you’re pleading is surrounded by strong narratives dominating the public sphere with stories full of disinformation, propaganda, or even hatred?

It’s like playing chess with a demanding opponent: you have to pick the right strategy in order to win.

Read on to find out which strategies prove the most effective...