By: Aaron Nii Kwarte Quartey
iWatch Africa a Non-Governmental Organization based in Ghana has organized a one-day training workshop for journalists to strengthen the role of media as a pillar of democracy and trust. According to iWatch Africa, the workshop was to equip journalists with the skills necessary to combat disinformation and misinformation in the media landscape.
The training was in partnership with Impact Amplifier Foundation which brought together some selected journalists and media professionals from various media houses in Ghana.
A Co-Founder and a project lead of iWatch Africa, Philip K. Banini told journalists that in this era where disinformation and misinformation is rife and have considerable repercussions, it is high time journalists are equipped with tools and knowledge to discern and challenge false narratives.
He emphasized the increasing importance of journalists in preserving the truth as the digital world evolves. “The media’s capacity to address the pervasive issue of disformation would be strengthened through iWatch Africa’s targeted training efforts”, Mr. Banini noted.
He hinted that iWatch Africa intends to broaden its training offering to include more media professionals, particularly women.
According to Mr. Banini, the organization is also looking into forming partnerships with various parties in order to further advance its goal of promoting openness and accountability through top-notch media coverage.
The urgent need for enhanced media and information literacy education in Ghana was highlighted by Mr. Stephen Tindi, a lecturer at the Department of Communication at the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism.
Investigative reporter Mr. Evans Aziamor-Mensah who is also a Reporter with The Fourth Estate and Fact-check Ghana delivered hands-on demonstrations of cutting-edge digital tools and strategies designed to aid journalists in verifying information.
Advanced search algorithms and metadata analysis for fact-checking were covered in his presentation.
This, he believes, will contribute to shaping a future generation capable of thriving in the digital age while upholding the truthfulness of information transmission and consumption.
Combining tech and critical thinking is crucial, he said. In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, it is crucial for journalists to not only master digital tools but also to develop a robust analytical framework for evaluating information.
An award-winning fact-checker with Dubawa and a Ghana correspondent for the pan-African publication, ,The Africa Report,, Mr. Jonas Nyabor, led journalists through digital and online security for women.
He said, “Understanding the unique challenges faced by women in online environments was important for him. It’s not just about protecting women’s online presence in the digital age”.
He discussed various aspects of digital safety, including strategies to combat cyber harassment, manage online privacy settings, and navigate the risks associated with digital footprints.
