Two-Day Master Class Equips Journalists in Addis Ababa with Advanced Skills to Combat Disinformation and Ensure Accuracy
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – HaqCheck, a leading local fact-checking initiative under Inform Africa, organized a two-day advanced fact-checking workshop aimed at empowering Ethiopian journalists to produce accurate and reliable news stories. Held at Best Western Plus Pearl Addis in Addis Ababa from June 22 to 23, the workshop aimed to enhance journalists’ skills and knowledge in effectively combating disinformation. HaqCheck received support from Africa Check, further strengthening their collective efforts.
Journalists from various media outlets, including EBC, FBC, Asham Tv, Ethio FM, and others, enthusiastically participated in the workshop, representing a diverse range of media organizations in the city.
The training sessions were led by Abel Wabella, the executive director of Inform Africa, and Kirubel Tesfaye, Lead fact-checker at Inform Africa. Abel emphasized the significance of media literacy in fighting disinformation, particularly in a country like Ethiopia, which faces numerous social, economic, and political challenges. Kirubel stressed the importance of fact-checking in journalism and its relevance in our daily lives.
The workshop covered various aspects, including information disorders and their typical forms. Participants gained insights into the motivations behind the sharing of disinformation, the actors responsible, and the tactics employed by them. Furthermore, the training highlighted prevalent disinformation trends in Ethiopia and provided participants with online tools and techniques to effectively combat disinformation.
Journalists expressed their appreciation for the workshop, recognizing its significant benefits for their journalism careers. They conveyed their commitment to combating disinformation and promoting media literacy in their respective media outlets. Biniyam, a journalist from EBC, emphasized the essential nature of the training, stating, “The training was essential and helpful in tackling disinformation, and I learned new skills, especially the online tools provided during the training for fact-checking purposes. I also request that such training be continued for other journalists nationwide.”
In today’s world, where access to information has become more accessible than ever, the fight against disinformation is crucial. Equipping journalists with the skills and knowledge to identify and verify the accuracy of news is a vital step in promoting media literacy and maintaining the integrity of the journalism profession.
The collaborative effort between HaqCheck and Africa Check to empower Ethiopian journalists through this advanced fact-checking workshop is a timely and essential step. The wider dissemination of such crucial training will significantly contribute to reducing the spread of disinformation in Ethiopia, fostering a more informed and discerning public.
It is known that HaqCheck has announced plans to organize another round of workshops on July 20-21, 2023. This upcoming workshop aims to continue empowering Ethiopian journalists with advanced fact-checking skills and techniques. Registration will be open to media professionals soon, providing an opportunity for more journalists to enhance their abilities in combatting disinformation and ensuring accuracy in their reporting.
