Learning and experience sharing session combating fake news in the Gambia.

Responding to the realities and need of Media and Civil Society

As follow up sessions after the three days “Learning and experience sharing sessions on responding to the realities and needs of media and civil society in countering fake news and civic engagements for the project Tackling Fake News in West Africa held in November 2021. The Center for Research and Policy Development in collaboration with Fact Check Center-The Gambia, and International Republican Institute held a one day “Learning and Experience Sharing Sessions Combating Fake News in The Gambia” while responding to the realities and need of Media and Civil Society by Fact Checkers, Journalist and Members of the civil society.

Panel discussions were held in three sessions, The first panel was on Integrating the Lessons Learned in the 2021 Presidential Election and was disused by Mariama Danso-Fact Check Center The Gambia, Tijan Bah from WANEP, Madi Jobarteh-West minister foundation and moderated by Demba Kandeh from the Freedom House. The second panel was on Governance Agendas, and Access to Information, Improving the Media’s Capabilities to Detect, Analyze and Expose Disinformation, as well as Improving the Reach of Completed Fact-checks this aspect of the panel was discussed by journalist in persons of Muhmmed MS Bah- Gambia Press Union, Yusuf Taylor- Gainako online Newspaper, Omar Bah- Standard newspaper and was moderated by Sally Jeng-RFI. The third session was on Raising Awareness and Improving Societal Resilience against Disinformation and Fake News, Engaging Citizens on how to Spot Fake News and what to do if they believe something is fake, the panel had Karamba Jallow –Center for Research and Policy Development, Omar Camara-Fact Check Center The Gambia, Amadou Gaye –Civil Society Advocate, Tijan Bah- WANEP and was moderated by Sainabou Drammeh of IRI. During the panel discussions, series of challenges and recommendations were mentioned by both the panelist and members that attended the programs. 

Finding

The various challenges that were mentioned are;

1. There is lack of collaboration, networking and partnership among the fact checkers.
2. There is not enough coordination and collaboration among media houses and journalist.
3.  Misinformation and disinformation continues to be a persisting problem both online and offline in The Gambia.
4. Mal information which is sharing a true information intending to cause harm is on the high.
5. Infodemic as an online misinformation for political propaganda and covid 19 on the rise.

Recommendation

The various recommendations highlighted are;

1. A push for the implementation of the access to information laws which is passed by the national assembly recently.
2. Fact checkers to collaborate and network amongst themselves in order to avoid duplication of efforts and promote the sharing of authentic information amongst and from fact checkers.
3. Fact checkers to collaborate with the media for the better dissemination of information among members and develop messages 
4. Work on adopting a policy for fact checkers.
5. Fact check center- The Gambia to partner with radio stations and newspaper outlets for fact checks to be publish both on the radios and radios for the reaching the greater part of the public that is not online.
6. Ahead of the parliamentary elections, to do data collection of statements made by parliamentarians for further fact checking purpose and for remainder purposes to the parliamentarians.
7. Advocate for digital literacy in the schools for both teachers and students.
8. Promote information management and cyber hygiene and engage the community on fake news and its dangers.