UNESCO, in partnership with the Aga Khan University (AKU) Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC), has concluded a two-day training programme for editors, media managers, regulators, and representatives from journalists’ associations across Kenya to strengthen the capacity of local newsroom leaders to combat misinformation and disinformation.
The programme, titled “Promoting Gender-transformative Media and Information Literacy Competencies in Kenyan Newsrooms,” was delivered under the UNESCO-backed “Social Media 4 Peace” initiative.
Participants gained practical skills in fact-checking and verification, as well as integrating gender-transformative media and information literacy (MIL) policies into newsroom practices in Kenyan media.
The training emphasized how editorial leaders, who shape newsroom culture, standards, and policies, can embed inclusive approaches to strengthen ethical reporting, build public trust, and counter harmful online content.
“By focusing on editors and media leaders, we are empowering those who set the tone for journalism in Kenya, and by making sure we have representation beyond Nairobi we are practicing inclusivity,” said Prof. Nancy Booker, Dean of GSMC, at the close of the training.
She added that the lessons from the training will help transform newsrooms into spaces that not only resist misinformation but also champion gender-inclusive and evidence-based storytelling.
“We are proud to be part of this effort to safeguard truth and strengthen civic trust,” she said.
The Social Media 4 Peace project, currently in phase II, is a UNESCO EU-funded initiative which seeks to strengthen the resilience of societies to potentially harmful content spread online—particularly dis/misinformation and hate speech inciting violence—while protecting freedom of expression and promoting peace through digital technologies, especially social media.
According to John Okande, Programme Coordinator at UNESCO, the training program is a crucial step in empowering Kenya’s media leaders to promote information integrity and effectively counter misinformation and disinformation.
“We are strengthening the foundational principles for ethical journalism in Kenyan newsrooms, ensuring they can build public trust and serve as a reliable source of information for all,” said Okande.
