Introduction
In The Gambia, as in many emerging democracies, the rise of digital media has significantly increased the prevalence and spread of disinformation, posing a major threat to the integrity of information, especially during elections. Disinformation has been one of the biggest impediments to the development of the democratic process in Gambia. The elections of 2021 show how disinformation quickly skewed and distorted the electoral process, watering down the message of policy and amplifying identity politics. Disinformation, defined as the deliberate creation and dissemination of false or misleading information intended to manipulate, deceive, or harm, has become a serious challenge to democratic processes worldwide. According to Colomina et al. the spread of disinformation erodes public trust in democratic institutions by distorting elections, influencing public opinion, and fostering polarization. This, in turn, creates skepticism about the fairness and legitimacy of elections.
The Gambia is no exception to this phenomenon. This was clearly manifested during the December 2021 presidential election, where the spread of disinformation played a significant role in shaping the public’s perception of candidates, voting procedures, and the overall validity of the electoral process. With social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok becoming the main sources of political discourse, the rapid spread of false narratives made it increasingly difficult for voters to distinguish fact from fiction, leading to confusion, mistrust, and, in some cases, voter apathy. As Hassan and Hitchen (2020) observed, social media has become a “digital battleground” where both Gambians in the diaspora and local political actors engage, further amplifying the spread of fake news. The unchecked manipulation of the electorate through fabricated claims about candidates and the voting process posed a direct threat to the foundations of The Gambia’s democratic transition.
The Gambia’s Media Landscape and the Rise of Disinformation
The Gambian information ecosystem, which was once tightly controlled under the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh, has undergone a massive transformation since 2017. Jammeh’s departure opened up the political and digital spaces, leading to both a flourishing of legitimate news and a corresponding rise in fake news. According to the 2021 Afrobarometer survey, social media users (84%) were the primary actors in spreading false information, followed by politicians (78%) and government officials (63%). Media outlets and journalists were also significant contributors, accounting for 60% of the distribution of fake news.
This trend is not unique to The Gambia; it reflects a broader global shift where disinformation has become a potent tool in political campaigns. However, in the context of The Gambia’s fragile transition to democracy, the consequences of disinformation were particularly alarming, as the stakes of the 2021 election were higher than ever.
The Role of Disinformation in The Gambia’s 2021 Presidential Election
The December 1, 2021, presidential election marked a pivotal moment in The Gambia’s democratic journey. Since 2017, the media sector has seen considerable growth, with 38 commercial FM stations, 9 community radios, and the rise of online television stations and citizen journalism. While these developments have positively shaped the media landscape, they have also created challenges related to information integrity and media accountability.
Throughout the 2021 elections, disinformation and hate speech permeated every stage of the electoral process before, during, and after the vote. The EU Election Observation Mission’s final report (2021) highlighted how fake news and tribal rhetoric spread widely on social media, particularly Facebook and WhatsApp. These false narratives sowed confusion, deepened divisions, and undermined fact-based campaigns, making it difficult for voters to make informed decisions. This thread validated the findings from the Elections Analysis Center 2021, comprising Info-Checked (formerly Fact Check Center), Center for Democracy and Development, Center for Research and Policy Development, and Article 19 West Africa, that revealed several concerning trends during the election period. Deliberate attempts by political actors were made to fragment the electorate, with ethnicity becoming a key tool for spreading information, influence, and online propaganda. It was also evident that most of the dis/disinformation that circulated online was party-driven, leading to increased polarization. Additionally, the poor dissemination of information from credible sources made it difficult for voters to access reliable content. While social media remained a critical platform for political messaging, it also contributed significantly to the spread of disinformation. The Elections Analysis Center fact-checked over 30 related claims during the voting, counting, and tallying of election results, helping to clarify the misinformation circulating during these critical stages. As a result, many voters relied heavily on fact-checkers to verify the information they encountered, underscoring the importance of credible sources during the electoral process.
However, Disinformation was not only weaponized against political parties but also targeted the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Among the most prominent false claims were that the IEC Chairman had been summoned by President Adama Barrow and that members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) were occupying the IEC building to manipulate the vote count in regions like Kiang and Jarra. These baseless rumors not only tarnished the IEC’s credibility but also sparked serious security concerns, threatening the integrity of the election process.
Recommendations
- Strengthen Media Literacy Campaigns: Given the rapid spread of disinformation during the 2021 election, it is crucial to prioritize media literacy programs that educate voters on how to critically engage with information. By fostering greater awareness of the dangers of fake news, especially on social media platforms, citizens will be better equipped to identify false narratives and protect the integrity of future elections.
- Enhance Fact-Checking Mechanisms and Collaboration: Fact-checkers played a pivotal role in countering misinformation during the 2021 elections. To ensure that the electoral process remains transparent and trustworthy, it is essential to further invest in fact-checking initiatives and strengthen collaboration between fact-checkers, media outlets, political parties, and the IEC. This coordinated effort will help mitigate the spread of disinformation and provide voters with reliable, verifiable information.
- Regulate Social Media Platforms: Social media has become a double-edged sword in political discourse, enabling both engagement and the spread of disinformation. There is an urgent need for regulatory frameworks to ensure that platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok are held accountable for the information shared during electoral periods. Proactive monitoring and swift action against misleading content will help safeguard the electoral process and maintain public trust in the democratic system.
Conclusion
The proliferation of disinformation during the 2021 presidential election in The Gambia underscores the urgency of establishing robust measures to prevent the prevalence and manipulation of public opinion, especially during elections. While the country’s media landscape has flourished since 2017, it is crucial that robust measures are put in place to protect the electoral process from the negative effects of fake news. As The Gambia continues its journey toward a fully consolidated democracy and ahead of the 2026 Presidential elections, addressing the spread of disinformation must be a priority to ensure that voters can engage with accurate, fact-based information that upholds the integrity of the electoral process and strengthens public trust in democratic institutions.
Author: Omar Camara
Omar Camara is a Transnational Governance Specialist and Disinformation Analyst with over five years of experience in disinformation, governance, and democracy. His work focuses on the intersection of disinformation and governance, with a particular emphasis on information and electoral integrity in The Gambia. Additionally, Omar’s work seeks to understand the role of disinformation in shaping public opinion and its implications for democratic processes, with the aim of enhancing the credibility of electoral systems and promoting good governance.
