The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has rolled out a two-day capacity-building workshop in The Gambia to equip journalists with tools to combat misinformation, disinformation, and anti-democratic narrativesthreatening democracy in the region.
Organised in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and supported by the Government of Germany, the training gathered 40 Gambian journalists from print, broadcast, and online platforms. Sessions covered fact-checking and OSINT techniques, AI tools for identifying disinformation networks, conflict-sensitive reporting, and media literacy to help citizens discern credible news.
Declaring the event open, Ambassador Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia, speaking on behalf of ECOWAS President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, described the initiative as crucial for safeguarding democracy and stability in the region.
“This workshop is more than a training exercise; it is a crucial step in strengthening the fabric of our democracies, reinforcing peace and security, and empowering journalists to counter the pervasive threats of misinformation and disinformation that undermine the stability of our region,” Ambassador French said.
She added that ECOWAS Vision 2050 prioritises a “peaceful, secure and inclusive region,” anchored on an independent press and an informed public.
Representing Germany, Barbara Kirsch of GIZ highlighted the shared commitment to building democratic resilience through responsible journalism.
“We share with ECOWAS the vision of a region marked by peace, stability, and cooperation—and we believe that a strong and independent media is central to that vision,” Kirsch said. “The path of a liar is very short, and this training helps ensure journalists can identify and counter falsehoods before they spread.”
Participants lauded the training as timely and impactful in an age dominated by digital misinformation.
Isatou Keita, President of the Gambia Press Union, said the workshop gave journalists vital skills to protect public trust.
“The training was very significant and timely, given the rise of misinformation and disinformation on social media which has eroded public trust in the media. Journalists need to be armed with the skills to fact-check and debunk false information for the greater good of society,” Keita said.
Alagie Cherno Suwareh of Star TV stressed the importance of ethical reporting:
“As journalists, we should not spread misinformation, disinformation, malinformation and fake news because of their negative consequences on our country and region.”
For Abdoulie Gassama, a communication expert and lecturer at the University of The Gambia, the training was transformative:
“The workshop has equipped Gambian journalists with the skills to identify and combat disinformation, ultimately promoting trustworthy journalism and accurate information dissemination.”
The initiative reinforces ECOWAS’ commitment to information integrity, democracy, and peace-building across West Africa, amid growing concerns about the weaponisation of misinformation.
