ECOWAS Moves to Combat Misinformation in West Africa, Trains Journalist in Cote D’IVOIRE. By Raymond Enoch
In a bold strategic step to bolster news sources, credibility and democratic resilience in West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has launched a 2-day intensive training for journalists in Côte d’Ivoire.
The program, running from May 13 to 14, 2025, focuses on strengthening information integrity and fighting the growing threats of misinformation and disinformation across the region.
Organized through the ECOWAS Directorate of Communication, the workshop seeks to equip Ivorian media professionals with modern tools, techniques, and ethical frameworks to navigate the complex media landscape. Participants will delve into strategies to identify false narratives, enhance fact-checking mechanisms, and uphold journalistic standards that reinforce public trust and democratic principles.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of ECOWAS Commission President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs. Fanta Cissé, emphasized the significance of the initiative.
“This training is not only timely but essential,” Mrs. Cissé stated. “By empowering journalists with the skills to combat disinformation, we are safeguarding democracy and ensuring that accurate, factual reporting remains the cornerstone of public discourse in our region.”
Also in attendance was Dr. Maya Schmaljohann, Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in Côte d’Ivoire. She reaffirmed Germany’s enduring support for ECOWAS and its member states in countering disinformation.
“Germany stands firmly with ECOWAS in promoting media literacy and strengthening the resilience of democratic institutions against the corrosive effects of fake news,” Dr. Schmaljohann noted.
The initiative highlights the growing regional and international collaboration to address information disorder, especially in an era where misinformation can rapidly influence public opinion and policy.
As the workshop unfolds, participating journalists are expected to emerge not only as better-informed professionals but also as active defenders of truth and democratic values in West Africa’s media landscape.
