The web has become an essential channel of information. Beyond the duality of the internet and social media, mobile devices are becoming increasingly important, both for internet users and for the media.
On the African continent, WhatsApp occupies a privileged position, as the app remains the most widely used messaging service for instant communication and exchange. In this context, the editorial teams at RFI Afrique and Le Monde Afrique chose to expand onto WhatsApp in 2019, both launching a news feed dedicated to African current affairs.
These new services offered the possibility of receiving a daily selection of articles, reports, interviews, and columns on mobile phones to cover news and significant events on the continent. This was an opportunity for both media outlets to capture and create a direct link with African users, even in remote areas where there is no internet connection.
However, both media outlets were forced to stop using the social network.
WhatsApp, owned by the giant Facebook, changed its terms of use a few months ago. New distribution rules were introduced, no longer allowing content to be distributed to an audience of more than 250 people. The teams want the messaging service to remain a channel for exchanges between individuals and groups of people.
According to an article published by Le Monde: "Readers on the African continent (75% of our subscribers) are fond of this media outlet, which fits in their pocket and offers them quality information free of charge at a time when fake news is on the rise…"
Constrained by these restrictions, the two media outlets are taking time to reflect and come up with new ways to deliver information and disseminate it as widely as possible around the world using alternative channels. Le Monde is also looking for development opportunities on the Telegram messaging app.