Journalists trained in Kumasi to combat hate speech and misinformation.
"The training has equipped me to avoid being a tool for promoting hate speech," stated a TV and radio news anchor at Kessben Media, Sampson Osei Sarpong.
Reflecting on his experience during a recent journalist training session in Kumasi, he said the training "has deepened my professionalism in handling news stories to prevent tensions based on political, religious, or tribal affiliations.
Sampson is among 60 journalists from Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale who benefited from the training on Elections in the Digital Age. Organized by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ghana with support of the UNESCO Multi Donor Program on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists, the sessions covered critical skills such as identifying misinformation and hate speech and also focused on ensuring the safety of female journalists both online and offline, especially during election periods. The training also included a session on the "I Pledge for Peace" campaign, urging journalists to commit to promoting peace and spreading messages of non-violence.
Commencing in Accra, the event aimed to equip journalists with essential digital literacy and ethical reporting practices, aligning with the United Nations in Ghana's common approach for the upcoming 2024 Ghana elections,
In an interview the UNESCO Programme Specialist, Mr. Hamid Yakub emphasized the significance of preparing journalists ahead of the 2024 elections, underscoring the role of responsible reporting in promoting transparency and accountability. "Ahead of this election, I call on all journalists to uphold professionalism," he remarked.
Another participant, A news reporter for Zuria FM, Zeena Mohammed, courageously shared her personal ordeal of being targeted online because of her religious beliefs. Her revelation was part of a broader discussion on online gender-based violence, where other women recounted experiences of being body-shamed or verbally attacked, leading some to reconsider their online presence.
Zeena expressed gratitude for the training, noting how it empowered her to discern credible information and strengthen her journalistic approach. "The training has added more power to my elbow," she remarked.
To his fellow journalists, Sampson cautions them against hosting guests on political programs that may incite hatred or gender-based violence.
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