DUBAWA, the flagship fact-checking initiative of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), invites applications from journalists, bloggers, and actors within parastatal organisations in The Gambia for its intensive Elections Fact-Checking and Verification Capacity-Building Programme scheduled for 14th & 15th October in Banjul, Gambia.
About the Initiative
As The Gambia prepares for its 2026 presidential elections, safeguarding the integrity of the democratic processes from electoral misinformation, disinformation, and political propaganda is paramount. Information disorder during election cycles threatens voter decisions, heightens socio-political tensions, and undermines trust in governance.
To mitigate these risks, DUBAWA is launching a targeted, integrated capacity-building intervention to strengthen electoral transparency and media accountability in The Gambia.
This program equips participants with cutting-edge fact-checking methodologies, digital verification tools, and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) skills.
Who Should Apply?
Application is open to individuals resident in The Gambia who fall into any of the following categories:
- Journalists: Full-time or freelance journalists working across print, television, radio, and digital media platforms.
- Bloggers & Content Creators: Active digital publishers, independent bloggers, and civic tech content creators focusing on political, social, and national affairs in The Gambia.
- Parastatal & Civic Actors: Public relations, communication, and information officers working within parastatal institutions, statutory bodies, or electoral stakeholder agencies.
What Participants Will Gain
- An understanding of the ecosystem of information disorder (fake news) in The Gambia.
- A practical guide to conflict-sensitive journalism/reporting, especially during an electoral period.
- Advanced training on electoral fact-checking frameworks, geolocation, deepfake detection, synthetic media analysis, and digital verification toolkits.
- Direct, one-on-one guidance from DUBAWA’s expert fact-checkers and media analysts before, during, and after the 2026 presidential elections.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their applications online by filling out the official application form here.
Deadline for submission: September 22, 2026
Be part of the movement safeguarding truth and democracy in The Gambia!