

29 January 2025, 9:48 am
By Byamukama Alozious
A recent Afrobarometer survey found that almost half of African media consumers encounter fabricated stories daily, while more than a third of users surveyed from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa admitted to sharing false stories occasionally. These findings highlight the urgent need for journalists to be equipped with the skills to identify and combat misinformation.
In response to a call from Ugandan media personalities and organisations, Women in News conducted a training session for journalists ahead of the 2026 elections. The training focused on personal safety, ethical considerations, and inclusive reporting, emphasising the importance of fact-checking and verifying information before publication.
The training was particularly timely, as the election roadmap is already being implemented in Uganda. Akiki Kaija from Uganda Radio Network led a comprehensive session on misinformation, covering various types, including false connections, manipulated content, misleading content, fabricated content, sponsored content, false or parody content, imposter content, propaganda, and errors.
The training was well-attended by journalists from prominent outlets, including NTV, Daily Monitor, CBS, Mama FM, and others. This diverse participation underscores the commitment of Ugandan journalists to promoting ethical and inclusive reporting.
Jane Godia, Executive Director of the World Association of News Publishers, stressed the need for women’s participation in the electoral process, both as voters and candidates. She also emphasised the importance of journalists’ safety and security during the election period. Additionally, Godia urged journalists to adopt inclusive reporting by engaging both the ruling party and the opposition, allowing them to participate and share their views, thus ensuring balanced and representative coverage of the elections.
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