Join The Fight Against Disinformation: Apply For The Code For Africa (CfA) Media Sentinel Fellowships 2025 (Stipend Available)

About the Code for Africa (CfA) Media Sentinel Fellowships

Code for Africa, in partnership with the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), is offering three Media Sentinel Fellowships. These fellowships are part of a broader initiative to strengthen information integrity across Africa by detecting, disrupting, and deplatforming malign digital actors.

The initiative is designed to protect inclusive democratic processes and uphold human rights in the digital era. Through this program, CfA aims to develop a robust network of well-trained grassroots researchers who can engage in social media monitoring, cross-platform coordination, and digital forensics.

Selected fellows will be embedded within CfA’s forensic investigations unit, iLAB, where they will collaborate with expert analysts to contribute to real-time threat mapping and early warning systems designed to flag harmful digital trends. These insights will then be used to drive public awareness campaigns, inform policy responses, and guide media strategies to counteract disinformation.

Disinformation poses one of the most serious threats to democratic processes and public trust in today’s digital world. In regions where access to credible information is already limited, the spread of false narratives can be devastating. Recognizing this urgent need, Code for Africa (CfA) has launched the Media Sentinel Fellowships 2025, aimed at empowering grassroots researchers in Benin, Guinea, and Mauritania to monitor and counteract digital disinformation.

This unique opportunity offers a 10-month part-time fellowship, giving successful candidates the tools, training, and platform to become influential voices in safeguarding information integrity and promoting digital democracy in their local contexts. If you’re passionate about social media analysis and committed to protecting online spaces, this fellowship is for you.

Eligible Fields

This fellowship is ideally suited for individuals with academic, professional, or practical experience in fields such as:

Social Media Listening & Analytics

Digital Forensics
Disinformation Research
Information Integrity & Threat Analysis

Social Media Cross-Platform Messaging
Communication Studies
Journalism and Civic Technology

Human Rights or Digital Democracy Advocacy

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Media Sentinel Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Non-Partisanship: Applicants must be non-affiliated with any government bodies, political parties, military organizations, or state-sponsored media outlets. This is to ensure neutrality and unbiased research output.

Residency or Focus Area: Candidates must be based in or conducting field work in Benin, Guinea, or Mauritania.
Language Skills: Fluency in either English or French is required to ensure effective participation in the fellowship.
Tech Access: Applicants must have consistent access to a personal laptop or desktop computer and reliable internet connectivity for weekly virtual sessions, research tasks, and mentorship meetings.

Platform Fluency: Candidates should demonstrate familiarity with major social media platforms, including Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, and X (formerly Twitter).
Availability: Fellows must be available for a weekly one-hour virtual meeting throughout the 10-month duration of the program.

Selection Criteria

The selection process is competitive, with applications evaluated based on the following key criteria:

Experience in Social Media Monitoring: Proven ability to track, interpret, and report trends across digital platforms.
Understanding of Cross-Platform Dynamics: Knowledge of how different messaging ecosystems (e.g., Telegram groups influencing WhatsApp chats) interact.
Influence: Preference may be given to applicants who are influential voices (nano or macro influencers) or who have previous engagement in digital advocacy or community organizing.

Collaboration Skills: Ability to work effectively with the iLAB team on detailed investigations, data analysis, and mapping threat actors.

Eligible Countries

Applications are strictly limited to individuals who live in or conduct active research/work in:

Benin

Guinea
Mauritania

Applicants outside of these regions are not eligible for the 2025 cohort.

Benefits of the Code for Africa (CfA) Media Sentinel Fellowships

The Media Sentinel Fellowship is more than just a professional development opportunity—it is a funded, impactful platform for change. Key benefits include:

Monthly Stipend: A competitive stipend is provided to support each fellow’s research work. The amount is commensurate with experience and local influence.
Expert Training & Mentorship: Fellows receive in-depth instruction and mentoring from leading experts at Code for Africa’s iLAB and partner organizations in areas such as digital forensics, narrative tracking, and information integrity.

Hands-On Collaboration: Opportunity to work directly with CfA’s forensic analysts on live investigations into coordinated disinformation campaigns and information manipulation efforts.
Impact-Driven Research: Fellows’ contributions feed into early warning systems that alert the public, policymakers, and civil society actors to disinformation threats in real time.
Networking & Recognition: Become part of an influential network of digital democracy advocates and gain visibility as a thought leader within your country and the broader African digital rights space.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should:

Visit the official fellowship webpage.
Fill out the application form completely and accurately.

Submit all required documentation before the application deadline.

Note: The deadline to apply for the CfA Media Sentinel Fellowship is 07 May 2025. All applications must be submitted on or before this date to be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Selected fellows will receive orientation details upon acceptance into the program.

If you’re passionate about fighting disinformation and helping your community navigate the complexities of the digital information ecosystem, this fellowship is your opportunity to lead that change. Apply now and be part of a continental movement to protect democracy and truth in Africa.