The ECOWAS Commission, through Directorate of Communication, has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop on information integrity and combating misinformation and disinformation for Ivorian journalists and media professionals. The workshop, which held in Abidjan from 13 – 14 May 2025, focused on strengthening the integrity of information and enhancing efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation in the region.

The training aimed to equip Ivorian media practitioners with the knowledge, tools, and techniques necessary to detect, counter, and report on disinformation while upholding the principles of ethical and fact-based journalism. By doing so, ECOWAS seeks to strengthen democratic governance and foster informed public discourse in West Africa.

Presiding over the opening ceremony on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Fanta CISSÉ, highlighted the importance of the training, stating that it was specifically designed to empower journalists to tackle disinformation and to promote responsible journalism based on verified facts.

Madame CISSE underscored the pivotal role of media professionals in sustaining democratic values across Africa and the world. “The media are one of the cornerstones of any prosperous democracy. They shape public discourse, inform citizens, and hold institutions accountable. In today’s world of increasing political complexity and security challenges, the role of the press in safeguarding the truth has never been more vital,” she stated.

Ambassador CISSÉ expressed his gratitude to Mr Sylla MINOUROU, representing the Director of the ECOWAS National Office, Ms Sandra FOLQUET, and to Dr Maya SCHMALJO-HANN,Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in Côte d’Ivoire, and Mr. Jean-Claude COULIBALY, President of the Ivorian Union of Journalists, for their presence and valuable support.

The President of the Union des Journalistes of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Jean-Claude COULIBALY, expressed his gratitude to ECOWAS for initiating this training. He said ‘in the digital age and with social networks, we live in a society of hyper-information, where every citizen can produce, disseminate or transform content. Ensuring the integrity of information is not an option, but a requirement. It starts with sound professional practices: verification of sources, respect for deontology, transparency in editorial work’.

During his speech, Mr Sylla MINOUROU, on behalf of the Director of the ECOWAS National Office, Ms Sandra FOLQUET, welcomed and encouraged this ECOWAS initiative, which is a call to action and a shared commitment to protecting the truth, promoting peace and defending democracy through responsible journalism in the sub-region.

Also addressing participants, Dr. Maya SCHMALJOHANN, Representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in Côte d’Ivoire, emphasized the urgency of collective action against the rising tide of disinformation. “Today, more than ever, we need to take collective action to counter the growing threat of disinformation. This training is a crucial step in the effort to preserve the integrity of information,” she said.

Dr. SCHMALJOHANN reaffirmed the support of the German government for ECOWAS and its Member States in combating misinformation and disinformation. She highlighted ongoing joint initiatives aimed at improving the quality and integrity of information in the digital space and across traditional media platforms.