By Astou Jawara
A training on ‘Conflict sensitive journalism and countering hate Speech,’ for 50 Gambian journalists has finally concluded. Organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in Nigeria, the training was funded by UNESCO Regional Office in Dakar, Senegal.
Participants in the training sessions were drawn from the print, online and broadcast media across the country. They were divided into two groups: twenty-five (25) participants of the first set were trained from 1st to 3rd February, while the second batch attended the training from 7th to 9th February, 2022, at Senegambia Beach Hotel.
As the world lives in an age of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech, it is sometimes difficult to tell the differences between what is true and what is not. Journalists are at the forefront of ensuring the reporting of conflict is more insightful, comprehensive and balanced. This is important to promote the understanding and tolerance necessary to positively influence conflict resolution and peace building.
Mr. Ebrima Sillah, the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure commended the IPC and UNESCO for the initiative, saying the Gambia government recognizes the important role the media continues to play in the country’s democracy. He further emphasised government’s continuous support in creating the conducive environment for media freedom.
Even though it is the media’s role to provide news and information to the public for them to make informed choices, Sillah charged that it’s also incumbent upon the media to discharge this duty responsibly and in good faith.
The UN Resident Coordinator in The Gambia, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, said the Gambia is a diverse democratic country of many tribes that is navigating a delegate transition from authoritarian rule to pluralism, human rights, sustainable development and press freedom, adding that the recent presidential election demonstrated that the Gambia is on the right track. Meanwhile, she added that the inter-committee tensions persist.
“You must expose hate speech for what it is, but you should not amplify this message. And you must work for the firm-line between countering hate speech than promoting freedom speech”, Wakana advised.
IPS Director Lanre Arogundade, in addressing the participants, said the media can play a significant role in de-escalating and managing conflict situations and countering hate speech.
“Across and within African boundaries there seems to be renewed explosion of multi-dimensional conflicts including but not limited to insurgencies, religious extremism, terrorism, banditry, coup and counter coup”, Lanre said.
The Permanent Secretary at the office of the President, Mr. Assan Tangara, representing the Secretary General and Head of Civil Service, cautioned that fake news could jeopardize a country’s national unity and security, thus the need for such training for journalists.
Gambia Press Union (GPU) President Mr. Muhammed S. Bah, reminded his colleagues in the fraternity that, as the country is heading to the National Assembly elections, journalists have a big task to counter hate speech before, during and after the elections, in order to help prevent inter-community tensions.
Bah continued: “The media is so significant in ensuring a free, fair, credible and transparent election through which people can make an informed decision.
“As journalists, there is a need to understand a conflict, its causes and the negative consequences it brings to our society.”
