ECOWAS Equips Gambian Journalists to Tackle Fake News and Safeguard Democracy.
By Raymond Enoch
In a decisive move to strengthen media integrity and democratic resilience in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of Communication, has conducted a two-day intensive training for Gambian journalists focused on combating misinformation, disinformation, and fake news.
The workshop, which runs from 22–23 September 2025 in Banjul, is being implemented in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and supported by the Government of Germany. It aims to build the capacity of journalists and media practitioners in The Gambia to identify and respond to false narratives, strengthen conflict-sensitive reporting, and enhance the role of the press in promoting peace, democracy, and good governance across the region.
Speaking on behalf of ECOWAS President H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia, H.E. Ambassador Miatta Lily French, declared the workshop open and reiterated the regional body’s unwavering commitment to media development as a cornerstone of democratic governance.
“ECOWAS is resolute in supporting our Member States and their media communities to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, and truth in the public information space,” Ambassador French said. “Through strategic partnerships and innovation, we aim to empower journalists as frontline defenders of democracy.”
Barbara Kirsch, representing the German development agency GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), emphasized Germany’s shared vision with ECOWAS for a peaceful and cooperative West African region. She highlighted the critical role of strong, independent media in confronting anti-democratic narratives and maintaining regional stability.
Participants in the workshop are being trained on Media and Information Literacy (MIL), fact-checking tools, and strategies to counter misinformation networks—especially during politically sensitive periods such as elections or civil unrest.
As the digital information space becomes increasingly polarized and manipulated, ECOWAS’ initiative stands as a vital intervention to empower West African journalists with the tools needed to maintain credibility, restore public trust in the media, and defend democratic institutions from the threat of disinformation.
