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International media

How fake news is used to silence journalists

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It's become one of the most effective methods of silencing journalists. Accusations of spreading fake news, have led to media professionals being physically attacked, or thrown into prison.

Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro attends a joint news conference with Brazil's President Michel Temer (not pictured) at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil November 7, 2018.
Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro attends a joint news conference with Brazil's President Michel Temer (not pictured) at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil November 7, 2018. REUTERS/Adriano Machado
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In Brazil, president-elect Jair Bolsonaro has used the label to threaten prominent news outlet Folha with spending cuts. Whilst in Cameroon, investigative journalist Mimi Mefo is in a military prison after being accused of spreading lies about the Anglophone crisis. How did critical news become fake news? RFI's Christina Okello explores in this week's International Media.

Editors note: Mimi Mefo has since been released from the New Bell military prison where she was being held, since this magazine was broadcast

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