The ECOWAS, with Support from GIZ, and in partnership with the MFWA Completed a Two-Day Training on Information Integrity in Sierra Leone

Freetown, Sierra Leone – September 27, 2025 – The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) with support from GIZ and in partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has today successfully completed a two-day training workshop on information integrity in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The initiative brought together seasoned journalists and media practitioners within Freetown to strengthen their ability to identify, verify, and counter misinformation and disinformation.

The training, held from September 25–26, focused on equipping participants with practical skills in fact-checking, source verification, and conflict-sensitive reporting. Facilitators also highlighted the role of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in empowering both journalists and the wider public to critically assess information, especially in an era where false narratives and fake news spread rapidly through digital platforms.

Representatives from ECOWAS and GIZ, Ambassador to Sierra Leone -John Asuma and Barbara Kirsch respectively, stressed that promoting information integrity is vital for sustaining peace, democracy, and social cohesion in Sierra Leone and across West Africa. They emphasized that ethical and responsible journalism is key to building public trust and countering the dangers of weaponized information, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

At the close of the workshop, participants welcomed the training as timely and relevant, pledging to apply the new tools and techniques in their daily work. The initiative marks part of a broader ECOWAS-led regional effort, supported by GIZ, to strengthen media resilience, promote credible journalism, and safeguard democratic values across the sub-region.