By Rachel Kakraba
The Project Manager of DUBAWA West Africa, Roselena Ahiable, has called on journalists to prioritize fact-checking in their work, especially as the December 7 elections draw closer. She emphasized that this is essential to combat misinformation and disinformation, which pose significant threats during this election period.
Speaking on the issue, Madam Ahiable acknowledged that while news media thrives on breaking news, it is equally important for news outlets to be deliberate in fact-checking to ensure that the information disseminated to the public is accurate and truthful.
“What we need them to do is to prioritize fact-checking over breaking news, to prioritize fact-checking over a 24-hour news cycle so that we can ensure the information going out is better, healthier, more refined, and filled with truth,” she said.
Madam Ahiable made these remarks during a two-day capacity-building workshop for selected journalists, bloggers, and influencers in Accra. The workshop was organized in partnership with the German Embassy in Accra to promote authenticity in every publication and broadcast.
She highlighted that the training would help bridge the knowledge gaps of beneficiaries in fact-checking and information literacy, particularly as the nation approaches the December 7, 2024 elections.
“We are approaching a major election on December 7, 2024, and what we realize is that a lot of journalists, bloggers, and influencers lack fact-checking knowledge and information literacy. The purpose of this training is to fill that gap and equip these individuals with the necessary skills to interrogate information they encounter so they can better inform the public,” she explained.
She added, “We first and foremost exposed the participants to the concept of information disorder. We ensured they understand that there are different levels to information disorder and that it is not just about fake news.”
Madam Ahiable encouraged participants to put into practice what they had learned to help sanitize the information ecosystem.
“Some topics covered include the methodology of fact-checking, the use of digital tools, and ethics in blogging, journalism, and influencing. We also guided them through how to identify claims and determine whether they are true, false, or misleading. Additionally, we introduced them to some useful digital tools,” she noted.
She revealed that DUBAWA, in collaboration with other fact-checking organizations, has formed a coalition to provide real-time fact-checking during the upcoming elections. She urged media houses to forward any information requiring verification promptly.
Furthermore, Madam Ahiable encouraged journalists to seek opportunities for further training in fact-checking to enhance their skills and competence in this critical area.
As part of the initiative, some participants were selected to join a four-week DUBAWA Election Information Literacy and Fact-Checking Training Mentorship Programme. The program, running from November 18 to December 20, 2024, provides hands-on experience in sourcing claims, verifying them, and writing fact-check reports.
