FactSpace West Africa, UNESCO train Upper East Journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting
Workshop equips journalists and stakeholders with conflict-sensitive reporting skills, fact-checking tools and peacebuilding strategies to promote social cohesion in the Upper East Region.
FactSpace West Africa, in collaboration with UNESCO, has organised a two-day training workshop for journalists and key stakeholders in the Upper East Region to strengthen conflict-sensitive reporting and promote peacebuilding through responsible journalism.
The programme, dubbed the “Embrace Peace Project, Conflict Reporting and Co-Creation”, was held at Ganass Hotel in Bolgatanga from July 14 to 15 under the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) Embrace Peace Project.
The initiative seeks to promote peace, social cohesion and community resilience by equipping media practitioners and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to report conflicts responsibly while encouraging dialogue and preventing the spread of misinformation.
The workshop brought together journalists, representatives of the security services, civil society organisations and peacebuilding actors to enhance collaboration and build practical capacity in conflict-sensitive reporting.
Participants received training on conflict reporting and peacebuilding, with sessions facilitated by Professor Eliasu Mumuni of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at the University for Development Studies (UDS).
The sessions focused on ethical journalism, responsible reporting in conflict situations and the media’s role in promoting peaceful coexistence.
As part of efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation, participants were also introduced to a range of fact-verification tools designed to help journalists verify information before publication.
The practical session exposed participants to digital verification platforms, including the fact check chatbot, and other fact-checking techniques to strengthen accuracy, credibility and public trust in media reporting.
The training also provided participants with an overview of the IPDC Embrace Peace Project, outlining its objectives, implementation strategies and expected outcomes for strengthening responsible journalism in conflict-prone communities.
Participants engaged in co-creation sessions, group discussions and multi-stakeholder engagements to develop and validate key peace messages.
They also undertook user journey mapping to support the design of communication strategies aimed at fostering dialogue, countering misinformation and strengthening community resilience.
Organisers expressed confidence that the workshop would deepen collaboration among journalists, peacebuilding institutions and other stakeholders while enhancing the capacity of the media to report conflicts accurately, ethically and in ways that contribute to sustainable peace across the Upper East Region.
Participants commended the initiative, describing it as timely and relevant. They noted that the knowledge and practical skills acquired, including the use of digital fact-checking tools, would improve their ability to report conflict-related issues professionally and responsibly while contributing to peacebuilding efforts within their communities.
Mike 105.3FM I Navrongo | David Adapuna
