The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), an Accra-based international non-governmental organization, has held a capacity-building workshop for journalists on combating hate speech and polarizing narratives in order to promote democratic consolidation in Ghana.
The workshop’s main goal is to improve journalists’ knowledge of hate speech, false information, and divisive stories in Ghana.
The two-day training, held at the Sunlodge Hotel in the Greater Accra Region by MFWA, drew journalists from various parts of Ghana.
Over the years, MFWA has been instrumental in providing training to media practitioners in a variety of areas, including fact-checking, conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, fact-based reporting, and combating violent extremism and divisive narratives.
Journalists from various media organizations were lectured on how to improve the media’s role in promoting information hygiene during the 2024 elections, as well as how to embrace professionalism through peace journalism.
Dr. Emma Birikorang, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre’s (KAIPTC) acting director for academic affairs and research, educated journalists on issues such as violent extremism, unhealthy political rivalry, ethnic friction, and religious disputes in addition to electoral violence.
Mr Frank Wison Bodza, Deputy Director of Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution at the National Peace Council (NPC), recommended media practitioners to use their platforms to promote peaceful communications and fact-based media content to combat electoral conflicts.
Dr. Kojo Impraim, Programs Director, Media for Peace and Sustainable Development at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), asked the press to preach peace through their platforms in order to preserve the country’s peace while also consolidating democratic victories.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
