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The impact of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on traditional media continues to advance. So, to equip journalists in West Africa with the necessary tools and skills needed to function optimally in the new technological era and to fight the threat of information disorder, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has embarked on a week-long training for journalists in Liberia.
This training with support from Google News Initiative is under the auspices of DUBAWA, the verification and fact-checking arm of the CJID.
The training, which commenced on Monday, June 3, 2024, is divided into two segments. The first was targeted at non-urban journalists in central Liberia (Gbarnga, Bong County) while the other focused on one of the most influential newsrooms in Liberia- the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS).
The four-day training brings together 40 non-urban journalists from across communities in Gbarnga, Bong County, and nearby counties for two days (June 3 & 4, 2024) in Gbarnga City. The training also gathered 40 other journalists from the Liberia News Agency (LINA) and the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) for another two days, Wednesday, June 6 to Thursday, June 7, 2024, in Monrovia.
With partnership from the Google News Initiative (GNI), the week-long training will focus on fact-checking, ethical decision-making, the right to information, and how these activities can improve the work of journalists. The training also seeks to provide an in-depth knowledge and understanding of digital verification and specialised Google tools and resources needed to improve the work of journalists.
Providing the overview of the workshop during the opening, Roselena Ahiable, project manager, of DUBAWA West Africa explained that GNI supported DUBAWA’s work to build the capacity of journalists in digital verification and fact-checking. GNI’s assistance also helps to develop journalists’ digital reporting skills, find new ways to combat information disorder, and enhance their storytelling skills to ensure the accuracy of their reports.
The project manager further explained, “As journalists, you owe it to your audience to ensure that accurate and factual information is constantly provided to support decision-making and provide a wholesome information ecosystem. She noted that Information Disorder and its various manifestations, as well as the consequences that befall media practitioners who have lost trust in the media, can be re-established.”
Similarly, Maxine Danso, the lead for international expansion and knowledge at CJID explained to participants the organisation’s commitment to the media in Africa.
“We have a mandate to improve democratic practices for sustainable development in Africa, as well as upskilling journalists to play their watchdog roles by providing credible information on the continent,” Danso said.
About DUBAWA:
DUBAWA is an international fact-checking and verification platform owned by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) to address the spread of misinformation and disinformation, through multi-pronged expert-identified approaches. Launched in 2018 by the Centre and operating in the five anglophone West African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia), DUBAWA aims to advance truth and accuracy in reporting, to help instill a culture of verification among journalists, elected and public officials, and citizens as well as promote technology use in journalism.
