N’Djamena — Chad has issued a sweeping directive banning deepfakes, image manipulation, and AI-generated distortions involving President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. The move comes after a series of fabricated visuals circulated online, including a viral image falsely depicting the Head of State kneeling before Pope Leo during a visit at the Vatican.
The communiqué, released on 24 November by the Directorate of Communication of the Presidency (DGCOM/PR), frames the President’s image as a national symbol—one that must be “protected from distortion, trivialization, and malicious digital manipulation.”
A Directive Driven by Growing Digital Risks
Although governments worldwide are grappling with the spread of deepfakes, Chad’s decision arrives at a delicate moment. Recently, several manipulated images of President Déby flooded social media like TikTok and Facebook.
One particularly misleading photomontage portrayed the President kneeling before Pope Leo—an event that never occurred. Because the image appeared realistic, it triggered heated online commentary and disinformation campaigns.
What the Directive Prohibits
The new rules introduce explicit restrictions targeting several types of manipulated content.
They forbid:
- any alteration, distortion, or synthetic recreation of the President’s image;
- AI-generated deepfakes placing him in events or locations unrelated to reality;
- caricatures or satirical edits that may “undermine dignity”;
- misleading digital creations designed to mock, deceive, or misrepresent.
Furthermore, the directive applies to mainstream media, online platforms, influencers, and everyday users.
Legal and Political Implications
To enforce the measure, authorities point to existing legal tools covering image rights, defamation, identity fraud, and the spread of false information. Offenders may face prosecution
Deepfakes have become powerful instruments for political misinformation across Africa. Nigeria, Rwanda, and other States have already adopted similar restrictions to protect public officials from sophisticated digital forgery.
Deepfakes and the Erosion of Public Trust
The Presidency insists the policy aims to restore trust in official communication. Indeed, deepfake technologies now enable anyone with a smartphone to forge convincing images or videos capable of shifting public opinion within hours.
Moreover, these synthetic visuals often blend seamlessly into real footage, making it difficult for citizens to distinguish fact from fiction. As a result, misinformation spreads faster than corrections, especially in environments where digital literacy remains limited.
The DGCOM/PR directive comes not merely as a media guideline but as a matter of national security.
(Manara Radio Television – English)
