InfoLisango

Democratic governance Gender equality Information intègre Renforcement de capacité

PROFILE: CHARVINE MABIALA: LEARNING, VERIFYING, INVESTIGATING – THE JOURNEY OF A JOURNALIST ON THE MOVE

She learnt on the job, then developed her approach: Charvine Mabiala embodies a generation of Congolese journalists who are constantly developing their skills to tackle the major challenge that is disinformation.

In the soft light of a television studio in Brazzaville, Charvine Mabiala adjusts her microphone, flashes a smile and introduces her report in the national language. Her voice is calm, warm, almost familiar. Nothing betrays the nerves of her early days, nor the twists and turns of a journey that did not originally lead her to journalism.

A change of office, a change of life

Before joining DRTV, Charvine was an accountant. “I thought to myself: why not give it a go?” she says simply. A step to the side – seemingly insignificant, according to her – which nevertheless “threw her in at the deep end”, she admits. Her first time on air was a bit tentative, with stress hanging in the air. But she got the hang of it very quickly. And with that came a realisation: reporting, investigating and shedding light on grey areas had become her calling.

Today, the journalist claims to have a strong penchant for sensitive topics – those that unsettle and raise questions. She cites, for example, an ongoing investigation into a company that is defying the public authorities, acting entirely unlawfully and through nepotism. “I’m often told that I take risks. Yes, that’s true. But that’s also part of our role,” she emphasises. Behind this determination lies a standard: that of work done well, in a structured and verified manner.

The art of rigour

It is precisely in this area that CFI’s training programmes have marked a turning point. Initially online, almost by chance. “I can’t even remember how I came across it,” she smiles. Then on the ground, as part of the INFOLISANGO project, funded by the European Union.

Run between 2024 and 2028 in the Republic of the Congo, this programme supports ten media organisations in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire across several areas: the fundamentals of the profession, fact-checking, journalism in sensitive contexts, as well as on-the-ground support and the production of an electoral guide. For Charvine, the impact was immediate. 

Questioning to inform more effectively

“I’d entered the profession without having mastered the basics,” she admits. The modules she has completed have provided her with structure and a frame of reference. Ethics, professional standards, prioritising information: all these concepts are now integral to her daily practice. But it is above all the training in fact-checking that has been a real eye-opener. “Before, I used to share things on social media without checking them,” she admits. “Now I know where to look, how to analyse an image, and how to distinguish fact from fiction.”

During the face-to-face sessions, discussions with the trainer, Lassina Niangaly, further reinforce this learning. “He taught us always to cross-check sources, mainly primary and secondary ones,” explains Charvine. This rigour is clearly reflected in her reporting. She cites the piece on the abusive practices of certain taxi drivers: “I interviewed customers, drivers, their associations and consumers. Everyone had a chance to have their say.”

Beyond methodology, Charvine is also mastering new tools. Editing apps such as VN, and artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT or Perplexity: the journalist is becoming increasingly independent. “Nowadays, I can do everything on my own, from writing to editing, using just my phone.” The result is a more fluid, better-structured workflow, praised by her line managers.

Staying the course

In a Congolese media landscape grappling with the rapid spread of information and the challenges of disinformation, this development of skills appears essential. “Even the smallest piece of information spreads at an incredible speed. It’s a real challenge,” exclaims the journalist. For her, the answer lies in continuous training and adapting to new technologies… which is precisely what INFOLISANGO offers!

Charvine Mabiala is now moving forward with a clear aim: to develop, to make her mark, to ‘make a name for herself’, to use her own words. Without ever losing sight of the fundamentals. “To young journalists, I would say: stay ethical; don’t try to be sensationalist.” A guiding principle she applies consistently, driven by boundless energy and quiet conviction. Amidst the turmoil of today’s news landscape, her voice charts a demanding yet resolutely contemporary course: that of journalism that is at once committed, well-trained and constantly evolving.

INFOLISANGO: producing reliable news

Operating between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the INFOLISANGO project has, since 2024, been supporting around ten Congolese newsrooms with a shared objective: to provide better information in an age of disinformation. Led by CFI with the support of the European Union, the programme combines training, coaching and experimentation. The fundamentals of the profession, handling information during sensitive periods, and verifying online content: these are all tools for strengthening journalistic practices that are sometimes put to the test by the speed of social media. But INFOLISANGO doesn’t stop at newsrooms. The project also ventures into the field of media literacy, training influencers and local representatives to produce more responsible content. At the same time, a cybersecurity component equips those involved to tackle digital risks. Training, equipping, supporting: a comprehensive approach to tackling a challenge that has become central… producing reliable news in an information-saturated environment!