The ECOWAS Commission is encouraging journalists to utilise new technological tools and skills to verify information, with the goal of improving the accuracy of reporting.
This initiative aims to promote responsible journalism that can support democracy, good governance, and peaceful social cohesion across the West African region.
The President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray , stated this in Abuja, Nigeria, at a two-day training for Nigerian media professionals on media integrity and countering misinformation in West Africa.
The training aims to equip media professionals with the requisite knowledge, skills, and tools to counter misinformation and disinformation, promote information integrity and responsible journalism in the region.
Touray who was represented by the Chief of Staff and Director of Cabinet in his office, Mr. Abdou Kolley, said that the training would empower journalists with practical skills to identify misleading information and how to counter it
Noting that the he ECOWAS Commission will continue to strengthen democratic principles and promote peace in partnership between media practitioners and regional bodies to ensure stability and development in the region’s.
“Through this training initiative, we aim to equip journalists with the necessary tools to identify and counter anti-democratic narratives, combat disinformation, and uphold ethical journalism. It is, therefore, expected that at the end of this training, participants will be much stronger and better equipped to identify and analyse the actors, who are responsible for spreading false information,” he said.
President of ECOWAS commission’s stressed that the training is more than just an event but a call to action for advanced fact-checking methodologies, to enhance investigative journalism and foster media information literacy and credible information.
“You should foster media information and establish stronger collaboration between ECOWAS and media practitioners to promote democracy, good governance, and sustainable development.
Apply fact-checking techniques, and open source information tools in investigative journalism, utilise AI-driven approaches to detect patterns in disinformation campaigns, and strengthen their role in safeguarding human rights”.
“The knowledge gained here must be translated into impactful journalism that holds power to account, fosters peace, and strengthens democracy, enhance ethical and responsible reporting, and promote media ethics, digital security, and legal considerations in journalism,” he said.
Also speaking, the Political Counselor at the German Embassy in Abuja, Mr. Matthias Dold, maintained that effect of misinformation and disinformation goes beyond borders, thereby affecting
development, hence there is need to curb the menace.
“This training presents an opportunity for us to work together to curb the threats of disinformation and misinformation before they negatively impact our harmonious coexistence and the progress of the West African subregion.
As the representative of the German government, I can assure you that we remain fully committed to supporting ECOWAS in this endeavour. Western countries are often the target of disinformation, we have a mutual interest in ensuring an open and responsible information sphere.
“We share a common vision with ECOWAS to address the region’s challenges, and to create opportunities for regional economic integration, peace and stability, as peace and stability in the region is not just beneficial to the region but also to Europe and to Germany,” he said.
According to him, with the support of the media and its role in promoting and advocating for peace and regional stability in West Africa the challenges will be overcome .
“The media plays a pivotal role in promoting peace and stability. Together, we can prevent the negative impacts of misinformation and ensure an open and responsible information sphere”, he said
The Director for Peace and Social Cohesion, Media Foundation for West Africa, Kojo Impraim , noted that media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and now iit is becoming fully involved in the spread of misinformation.
“The increased prevalence of misinformation and polarisation, particularly election-related misinformation, often intensify the threat to peace and democracy in the ECOWAS subregion.
The media is caught up in this world, and have become a transmitter of information disorder in the region, pushing out narratives, which are causing tension and division in our communities”.
“The media, as a critical actor of democracy, is now becoming a strong actor when it comes to the spread of misinformation, and we need to confront it.
The media must confront this issue head-on and become a responsible actor in promoting accurate, truthful reporting”, he lamented
This training, with over 40 participants across broadcast, print, and online media, was organised by ECOWAS in partnership with the German development agency GIZ, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
By harnessing technology for better information verification, journalists can play a key role in fostering trust and accountability in their reporting.
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