Twenty-five journalists, bloggers, and public communicators are participating in a two-day workshop at the Bakadaji Hotel to combat election disinformation. This training session aims to equip media professionals with tools to identify and address false information ahead of the upcoming national vote. The Gambia's presidential election is scheduled for 5 December 2026. Participants are engaging in intensive sessions throughout the event to refine their reporting standards and fact-checking capabilities. Organizers designed the curriculum to address specific challenges media practitioners face in the current political environment. The training continues at the venue as attendees prepare for the coverage of the electoral cycle.
Collaborative Efforts Against Misinformation
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development organized the workshop through its Dubawa platform in collaboration with the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)-The Gambia. Dubawa Project Manager Roselena Ahiable stated, "Misinformation and disinformation are among the greatest threats to peaceful elections. They exacerbate tensions, fuel violence and undermine trust in democratic processes." She added, "You are on the front line against the tide of misinformation. The skills you learn here will not just make you better journalists; they will make you guardians of your country’s stability." WANEP-The Gambia National Network Coordinator Salama Njie observed, "Words can build peace, but unverified rumours can trigger violence." She noted, "You are the gatekeepers of public information. Your duty is not just to report what political actors say, but to verify whether what they say is true. Speed must never replace accuracy." The European Union's E-MAM project covers 12 West African countries.
Institutional Background and Reach
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development established its operations in 2014. The organization currently maintains a presence in more than 15 African countries. Through its initiatives, the institution works to strengthen media standards and investigative reporting across the continent.
Dubawa functions as a key component of this regional network. The platform maintains active operations in eight countries, including The Gambia. By establishing these local branches, the project provides journalists and communicators with specific fact-checking resources tailored to their national political environments. This operational reach allows the organization to coordinate training efforts across diverse jurisdictions, supporting media professionals as they address the challenges posed by digital misinformation during electoral cycles and broader public discourse.
Expert Perspectives on Media Responsibility
The European Union provides funding for this initiative through its Electoral Violence Monitoring, Analysis and Mitigation (E-MAM) Project. This support enables the training of media professionals as they prepare for the 5 December 2026 presidential election in The Gambia. By backing the workshop, the European Union seeks to improve the quality and accuracy of electoral reporting.
European Union Attaché Pablo Padin Perez emphasized the broader context of these efforts during the event. "Elections are not only about what happens on election day," he stated. "They are also about the information people receive. False and misleading information can spread very quickly, especially on social media, and undermine confidence in the electoral process."
The E-MAM Project operates across 12 West African countries to track and address potential triggers of electoral instability. Through this partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development and the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)-The Gambia, the project provides resources for journalists to verify claims and monitor political discourse. These professional development sessions at the Bakadaji Hotel aim to standardize fact-checking practices, ensuring that participants can effectively filter digital content before it reaches the public. By investing in these local media capacities, the initiative intends to mitigate the impact of inflammatory narratives and promote a more stable information environment throughout the electoral cycle.