The event marked the beginning of an initiative designed to empower media influencers with skills to be able to identify and counteract misleading narratives.
At the event, Mr Marr Nyang, Executive Director of Gambia Participate, revealed that the training’s primary focus was to educate these influencers on the legal implications of their content, protecting them from potential legal issues.
“Furthermore, it aims to arm them with the skills to identify and debunk political propaganda, both local and foreign. This initiative recognizes the significant influence these content creators wield, understanding that misinformation can quickly spread and be perceived as truth.”
He underscored the power of their platforms to either uplift or undermine society, adding that this training basically aims to arm these participants to be responsible creators.
“By fostering critical thinking and media literacy, the training seeks to ensure that the content created by influencers contributes to an informed and empowered public.
Yusupha Jatta, alias 360 Media, who is a participant at the training, highlighted the importance of the initiative in tackling the spread of false narratives.
Jatta expressed his resolve to learn new methods especially in identifying propaganda and other tactics employed by foreign governments.
He also plans to use the knowledge gained to inform, educate, and entertain his audience, ensuring that his platform remains a source of reliable information.
The training program, however, underscored the commitment of the organisers in promoting responsible media practices and combat the spread of misinformation.
By empowering social media influencers, the initiative aims to contribute to a more-informed and resilient society, capable of discerning truth from falsehood.
