ECOWAS trains journalists in Guinea-Bissau to promote information integrity and combat fake news, misinformation and disinformation

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau – 18 November 2025. The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Communication, has conducted a two-day training workshop for journalists and media practitioners in Guinea-Bissau to strengthen information integrity and counter misinformation, disinformation, fake news, and anti-democratic narratives in West Africa.

Organised by the ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and supported by the Government of Germany, the training seeks to build a stronger, more ethical, and more resilient media landscape in West Africa.

The two-day workshop held on 17-18 November 2025, covered a wide range of practical skills including fact-checking, open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital security, conflict-sensitive reporting, peace journalism, and media and information literacy (MIL) strategies. Participants also explored how artificial intelligence can be used to track and analyse harmful narratives. Forty (40) journalists from print, online and broadcast media platforms attended the training.

Declaring the workshop open on behalf of ECOWAS President, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea Bissau, H.E. Ambassador Ngozi UKEJE, said the training reflected ECOWAS’ commitment to supporting Member States and media professionals in promoting information integrity and combat the scourge of false and harmful narratives across West Africa. She underscored the importance of the media as a critical partner in strengthening political governance for peace, security and stability of the region.

“Let me emphasize that that a free, responsible and ethical press is the heartbeat of democracy and the guardian of peace. Every article, broadcast, and fact-checked story contributes to building a more transparent and united West Africa. In today’s digital age, information has become both a tool and a weapon. As such, the role of journalists is not only to inform but to protect the truth and to ensure that facts remain the foundation upon which our democracies stand.” Amb. Ukeje stated.

She highlighted that ECOWAS’ Vision 2050 rests on five pillars of Peace and Security; Enhanced Economic Integration; Strengthened Democratic Governance; Social Inclusion; and Sustainable Environment and Climate Action and stressed that the actualisation of thes Vision depend on a well-informed and ethically grounded media sector.

“Through Vision 2050, ECOWAS envisions a peaceful, secure and inclusive region where governance is transparent, citizens are informed, and institutions are trusted. None of these can be achieved without professionalism, ethics, and resilient media space, one capable of countering falsehoods and promoting unity.”

Delivering a goodwill message, the Director General of Regional Integration / Head of the ECOWAS National Office in Guinea-Bissau, Ms. Senhora CRISTINA DA PEDREIRA, emphasized the critical role of journalists as guardians of truth and democratic stability.

“Certainly, responsible and ethical journalism is one of the main lines of defence for democracy and stability. This capacity-building workshop for journalists and media practitioners in Guinea-Bissau is taking place at an important moment in the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in Guinea-Bissau. It symbolizes a joint commitment to protecting the truth, strengthening democracy, and reinforcing the unity of our region.” CRISTINA DA PEDREIRA said.

In her closing remarks at the end of the two-day training workshop, Ambassador Ngozi UKEJE thanked the German Government and MFWA for their partnership and journalists for their participation and commitment during the training.

The media training workshop in Guinea-Bissau followed successful trainings already held in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Beinin, and The Gambia reflecting ECOWAS’ commitment to scale up capacity-building initiatives across the region. At the end of the training program scheduled to take place in all Member States, journalists are expected to be better equipped to identify and debunk disinformation, protect digital security, and champion peace, democracy, and inclusive development in the region.