iWatch Africa Hosts Training to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation in the Media

iWatch Africa, a non-profit organization, has conducted a one-day training program for journalists to enhance their skills in combating disinformation and misinformation. The event was held in collaboration with the Impact Amplifier Foundation.

The training which was under the theme “Fortifying the Watchdogs: Tracking and Dismantling Online Harassment of Women Journalists in Ghana,” brought together selected reporters and media professionals from various media houses across the country.

Co-founder and project lead of IWatch Africa, Philip K. Banini, in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with the necessary tools to identify and challenge false narratives. He emphasized that in an era where disinformation can spread rapidly, it is crucial for journalists to uphold the truth and maintain public trust.

Mr. Banini emphasized the evolving role of journalists in the digital age, underscoring the need for targeted training to address disinformation and ensure the public has access to reliable information. He also revealed plans to expand the training programs to reach more journalists, particularly women, and to explore partnerships with other stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability through quality journalism.

A lecturer at the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), Stephen Tindi, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced media and information literacy (MIL) education in Ghana to shape a future generation capable of thriving in the digital age while upholding the integrity of information dissemination.

He further highlighted the critical role of MIL in developing informed citizens who can navigate the complex media landscape, evaluate online information, and make responsible decisions.

Evans Aziamor-Mensah, an investigative reporter with The Fourth Estate and Fact-check Ghana, demonstrated advanced digital tools and strategies for verifying information. His presentation covered techniques such as advanced search algorithms and metadata analysis for fact-checking. Aziamor-Mensah emphasized the importance of combining technology with critical thinking to evaluate information effectively.

On his part, Jonas Nyabor, an award-winning fact-checker with Dubawa and Ghana correspondent for The Africa Report, addressed the digital and online safety of women journalists. He stressed the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by women in online environments and provided practical advice on how to navigate these challenges safely.

Some journalists who spoke to Ghananewsonline.com on the sidelines of the training expressed satisfaction with the content of the training and assured to adopt and implement the various protocols outlined by iWatch to ensure the safety of journalism in the various newsrooms across the country.

“The training was insightful and I believe the implementation of the various protocols will keep our newsrooms vary safe especially the female journalists in the space” Jeorge Wilson Kingson, Managing Editor of Ghanannewsonline.com.gh noted.

By Derick Botsyoe || businessweekghana.com