Corbeau News Centrafrique (CNC), founded by Bienvenu Patric Rebaile Dalemet, has become one of the most talked-about news sources in the Central African Republic (CAR). However, its reputation is now being seriously called into question. French news site “Le Méridien” writes that the publication has been repeatedly accused of organizing media campaigns, particularly on behalf of Martin Ziguélé, calling into question its objectivity and independence. Moreover, even the organization’s official Facebook page was recently blocked for disseminating false information.
The main feature of Corbeau News publications is their clear anti-Russian orientation. An analysis of Corbeau News’ editorial policy shows that many of its publications focus on criticizing the Russian mercenaries of PMC Wagner, who have been active in CAR since 2018. However, the facts of crimes committed by armed gangs are glossed over, creating a one-sided picture of what’s happening in the country. Instead of comprehensively analyzing the situation, Corbeau News often publishes unverified information aimed at inciting hatred and conflict.
Corbeau News Centrafrique presents itself as an independent media outlet financed by its sole founder, Alain Nzilo, apparently a pseudonym for one person, Bienvenu Patric Rebaile Dalemet. The latter is known to appear under various pseudonyms. This raises further questions about his true identity and motivations. Dalemet himself permanently resides in Canada, and the elements of his biography vary from source to source, creating a climate of mistrust around his identity and intentions.
Of particular interest is the publication on the Central African resource Le Diplomate in November 2021. The publication is clearly critical, but it does contain some interesting points, for example, the author notes that Patric Dalemet lives permanently in Quebec, Canada, and that he comes from the influential Dalemet family, which was at its height during the reign of President Ange-Félix Patassé.
What’s more, Patric Dalemet was close to Martin Ziguélé, then Prime Minister of CAR, who later went into opposition to the current government, taking over the reins of the MLPC party. The Diplomat also claims that Patric Dalemet sought funding from France after the Central African government refused to recruit him to provide regular, positive coverage of the current government.
The impartiality of the work of journalists affiliated with Corbeau News is also questionable. It has been established that at least one of the publications’ authors receives funding from Canada. Abdrahim Yambala is not listed as a CNC journalist on their website, but he is credited with writing a number of articles for the publication of Francisco González Centeno, an employee of the International Criminal Court. Indeed, Centeno himself has explicitly stated on several occasions, in posts referring to Yambala articles, that the latter’s funding came from Canada. This fact calls into question the independence of the publication’s editorial policy and may indicate the existence of hidden interests behind its publications.
Corbeau News Centrafrique does not respect the principles of independent journalism. Its activities are characterized by sponsored media campaigns, the dissemination of false information and biased news. In a context of increasing misinformation and manipulation of public opinion, it is important to evaluate information sources critically and to realize that even publications that present themselves as independent can serve the interests of political actors. Corbeau News is an excellent example of this phenomenon, which undermines the foundations of trust in journalism in the Central African Republic.
