About the opportunity
The Africa Factchecking Fellowship Cameroon (#AFFCameroon) is a flagship program of r0g_agency and Civic Watch, established to strengthen Cameroon’s information ecosystem by building a network of trained fact-checkers and information integrity defenders. Operating under the project “Protecting Civic Space Online and Offline: Countering Hate, Discrimination and Media Repression,” the fellowship equips participants with practical tools to respond to evolving digital threats, including misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, AI-generated manipulation, and Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). Selected fellows undergo a three-month blended learning and field deployment program focused on FIMI monitoring and analysis, information integrity and verification, community fact-checking, AI threat management, and election integrity monitoring.
Funding and benefits
- Gain practical experience in information verification and fact-checking
- Join a national network of emerging fact-checkers
- Gain knowledge on responding to election-related information threats
- Access a publishing platform for produced fact-checking articles
- Open doors to existing opportunities in the domain of fact-checking
- Monthly or quarterly stipend and necessary logistics during the cohort period
Who can apply?
- Journalists or media educators
- Bloggers or content creators
- Civic tech actors
- Digital/Human rights defenders
- Researchers or OSINT practitioners
- Community leaders or youth advocates
- Final year students
- Election observers and legal practitioners
- Resident in the Northwest, West, Southwest, Littoral, or Centre region
- Demonstrate strong interest in fact-checking and digital rights
- Have basic digital literacy
- Accept diversity and be politically impartial
- Be active online or within communities
- Be committed to ethical information sharing and available for the full fellowship duration
Required documents
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant academic qualifications, professional experience, and work related to journalism, fact-checking, digital rights, OSINT, media, research, civic engagement, or information integrity
- Evidence of previous fact-checking or verification work (such as published articles, verification reports, investigative publications, OSINT investigations, or relevant media content demonstrating verification skills)
- A Fact-Checking Project Pitch (maximum 300 words) outlining a misinformation, disinformation, AI-generated manipulation, or FIMI challenge, why it is important, investigation methodology, and expected public value
- One recommendation letter from an academic institution, employer, media organization, civil society organization, or community leader (optional, but considered an added value)
When to apply
- Applications open on August 4, 2026
- Application deadline is August 22, 2026 at 23:59 WAT
How to apply
- Prepare all required application documents including your CV, evidence of previous work, project pitch, and optional recommendation letter
- Label all documents with 'Application AFFCameroon_Your Name_2026' in the subject line
- Submit the complete application via email to info@defyhatenow.org or info@civicwatch.cm by August 22, 2026 at 23:59 WAT
Additional information
- The fellowship is a joint initiative by r0g_agency and Civic Watch.
- Successful candidates will be contracted by Civic Watch for three (3) months.
- Applicants without prior published fact-checks may submit other evidence demonstrating strong research, verification, or analytical capabilities.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Journalists, bloggers, or digital rights defenders
- Individuals with a background in OSINT, fact-checking, or civic tech
- Residents of the Northwest, West, Southwest, Littoral, or Centre regions of Cameroon
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires a three-month commitment for blended learning and field deployment
- Must provide evidence of previous verification or analytical work
- Requires a clear project pitch as part of the application
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is designed for those looking to strengthen their professional profile in information integrity. It offers a platform to gain hands-on experience in countering digital threats and to join a national network of like-minded professionals.
Our take
Highly recommended for Cameroonian media and civic actors committed to ethical information sharing; less suitable for those without a demonstrated interest in digital rights or fact-checking.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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