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GBARNGA, Bong County— In the conference room at Passion Hotel here in Gbarnga, 38 Liberian journalists have gathered around a projector screen, notebooks, smartphones and laptops at the ready. These journalists are here to learn how to tackle one of the most pressing issues of our time: information disorder.
By Jerome Saye with Radio Nimba
Information disorder remains a major challenge for journalists in providing quality information to the public as an informed mind makes sound decisions.
The training was conducted by Dubawa, a Ghanaian fact-checking organization dedicated to promoting a culture of truth telling in West African media. The training lasted from June 3-4, 2024.
Over the course of the two days, these journalists learned how to identify, debunk, and prevent the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation—collectively known as information disorders.
At the start of the training, the head of International Expansion and Knowledge Coordination at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Maxine Danso underscored the significant need for mainstream journalists to be properly equipped with basic technological skills in preventing the spread of false news on social and legacy media.
The training drew participants from Nimba, Bong and Lofa Counties. Others were selected from Maryland, Montserrado, Margibi among others.
Among the participants was Moses Geply, an ELBC correspondent for Maryland County. Geply’s eagerness to attend the training can be seen when he transported himself from Maryland to Bong.
“I know that I was going to learn new things, that’s why I paid my way from Maryland to Bong here,” said Geply.
Dubawa’s approach to combating the issue of false news include Google reverse image search, using thineye to verify images that appear on social media especially Facebook for Liberian Journalists. The journalists were taught to use a variety of tools to check the truthfulness of images and videos, trace the origins of dubious claims, and collaborate with fact-checking networks across Africa.
The sessions were interactive, featuring real-world scenarios and hands-on exercises. Participants worked through case studies, learning how to apply the new skills learned in their everyday reporting.
At the heart of Dubawa’s methodology is collaboration. By fostering a community of informed journalists, the organization hopes to create a robust network capable of swiftly countering false narratives.
As the training concluded, there was a sense of empowerment among the participants. They left with more than just new skills; they left with a renewed sense of purpose.
The impact of Dubawa’s training is expected to ripple through the media landscape in Liberia. As journalists implement what they’ve learned, the hope is that the spread of misinformation will be curtailed, paving the way for a more informed public.
In the fight against information disorder, these journalists are now on the front lines, armed with the tools and knowledge to make a difference. The truth, they believe, is worth fighting for.