Building media capacity and promoting democracy through fact-checking and verification

This training was part of the Delegation’s wider media engagement, which includes regular media roundtables, journalists’ visits, and workshops which meet the needs as expressed by the local media representatives.In recent years, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation across the globe has posed significant challenges to journalists – and to democratic societies. Disinformation and information manipulation is a concern also in Botswana, with disinformation spreading increasibly and challenging the work of the local media.

“As disinformation spreads at an unprecedented scale and harms democratic societies worldwide by eroding trust and impairing freedom of expression, journalists play a critical role in safeguarding democracy and countering disinformation”, EU Ambassador Petra Pereyra said in opening the training.  

Speaking at the training, the Botswana Editors Forum Chairperson Lawrence Seretse defined fact-checking as not just a technical skill, but a moral discipline that safeguards newsroom integrity and urged journalists to make verification an enduring part of their editorial practices. The packed and hands on training brought together senior editors and journalists to delve into the principles, tools and techniques of fact checking and verification facilitated by Keegan Leech of Africa Check. 

The trainer provided concrete examples, exercises and tools for the media to fact-check and verify authhencity of the information based on tools that are avaiable online free of charge. Journalists participating found the training resourceful, including to  learning about the tools used for reverse image search. “I believe all journalists should learn the principles of fact checking and verification,” one of the participants said.

“The training session reflects our decades-long partnership with Botswana, which is based on shared values of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights, in addition to our dedication to engaging with journalists, and supporting them to carry out their noble duties with precision and dedication”, Ambassador Petra Pereyra said.