Journalists and media practitioners from the Kigezi Sub Region have been urged to avoid spreading false information, disinformation, and misinformation, and to prioritize publishing accurate news that has been double-checked.
This call to action was made during a fact-checking and verification training session hosted by the Debunk Media Initiative at the Voice of Kigezi’s boardroom in Kabale Municipality, Kabale District.
The training session, which took place today, attracted journalists and media practitioners from various media houses in the Kigezi Sub Region, as well as members of the academic community involved in media studies. Participants discussed the growing challenge of misinformation in an era of rapid technological development, where false information can easily spread through digital platforms.
Edgar Karuhanga, the Co-Founder and Lead Trainer at Debunk Media Initiative, emphasized the importance of media responsibility in maintaining public trust. “In today’s digital age, the proliferation of false information poses a significant threat to the integrity of the media. It is crucial for journalists to engage in rigorous fact-checking and verification to ensure the accuracy of their reports,” he stated.
Karuhanga further stated that disinformation affects people in various ways, especially by undermining the decision-making process, which can lead to danger and health complications for news consumers. He added that journalists have been trapped in the era of misinforming the public due to their affiliations, especially political ones, which continuously undermines their credibility.
Several concerns were raised during the training regarding the rise of false information, manipulated content, imposter content, conspiracy theories, and fabricated information, among others. The session also included practical exercises on identifying fake news and the tools available for verification.
Esther Kukundakwe, a journalist working with Diocese of Kigezi Radio and a Mass Communication lecturer at Kabale University, highlighted the need for continuous education and the development of robust verification methods to combat misinformation effectively. Kukundakwe further said that politics has been the major problem and cause of journalists’ involvement in misinformation and disinformation due to their connections with certain parties and politicians.
Alex Byakatonda, a retired news editor with Voice of Kigezi and currently working as a communication officer for Kabale District Local Government, said that in the current era, media has been compromised by journalists becoming part of the political machinery, leading to biased information being published. He called upon journalists to revisit the media profession’s code of ethics.
Byakatonda also shared his thoughts on the training. “This session has been incredibly insightful. As journalists, we have a duty to inform the public truthfully, and this training has equipped us with the necessary skills to do so.”
Journalists agreed that as misinformation continues to be a global concern, such initiatives are vital in ensuring that journalists remain vigilant and responsible in their reporting, thereby upholding the standards of journalism and protecting the public from the harmful effects of false information.
The Debunk Media Initiative, known for its efforts in promoting media literacy and fact-checking, reiterated its commitment to supporting journalists in the fight against misinformation. The organization plans to conduct similar training sessions in other regions to further strengthen the media’s role in providing accurate and reliable information.
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