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Part of the European Union-supported EPSG project, the workshop is being implemented by FIAP alongside partner organisations across ECOWAS member states.
Opening the session, Marr Nyang, Founder of Gambia Participates, emphasised the importance of strengthening the role of civil society and the media in tackling misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech ahead of the presidential election.
He noted that the project is funded by the European Union, the German Corporation, and Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with FIAP serving as the lead implementing institution.
Nyang also warned about the growing use of artificial intelligence to manipulate images and spread misleading political narratives, particularly during the recent supplementary voter registration exercise.
“One thing that fascinates me about this training is the AI component. We have seen how AI-manipulated images were used to create propaganda, and even civil society and media actors fell into the trap,” he said.
According to him, the training will also explore how artificial intelligence can be harnessed positively to fact-check information and challenge false narratives circulating online.
Delivering his address via virtual, FIAP project coordinator Maria Balen Alvaro Sanchez highlighted that similar workshops are taking place in Nigeria and Benin as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration among media organisations across the three countries.
She described the workshop as an important space for dialogue, networking, and cooperation among Gambian media organisations.
“Participants themselves are central to shaping solutions against disinformation and hate speech,” she stated.
