On 14 April 2020, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa organized an online conference for media stakeholders from the region to discuss their role in fighting misinformation, discrimination and hate speech linked to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the opportunity for promoting cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue
On 14 April 2020, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa organized an online conference for media stakeholders from the region to discuss their role in fighting misinformation, discrimination and hate speech linked to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the opportunity for promoting cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue.
During the current global COVID-19 pandemic, digital platforms have become vehicles for the unfettered spread of misinformation, hate speech, and enablers of racism and cultural division. As a result, journalists and other media professionals are facing increased difficulties in effectively reporting and covering the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dynamic and challenges posed by this pandemic, accompanied by the proliferation of “fake news” on digital media platforms, poses serious challenges to journalists and professional media organizations as well as to individuals, groups and communities receiving and reacting to this misinformation, hate speech, racism and cultural divide.
UNESCO organized this webinar to allow media stakeholders in the region to identify challenges and opportunities to effectively reporting and covering the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to share available resources and help strengthen national and regional networks in line with the UNESCO Media Information Literacy (MIL) Programme and the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
UNESCO mobilized panelists from around the region who shared concrete case studies and examples demonstrating how to increase citizens’ Media Information Literacy (MIL) skills and promote cultural diversity through various media channels.
Sixty (60) participants from the Eastern Africa region joined the webinar, which featured a Keynote Speech by Prof. Suraj Olunefesi, Senior Lecturer, University of Lagos, Nigeria. Sharing of Regional Experiences on “Misinformation, hate speech, and racism in media’s coverage and representation of the COVID-19 pandemic and presentations on country contexts” were presented by: Mr. Victor Bwire, Deputy CEO and Head of Programme, Media Council of Kenya (Kenya); Mr. Emmanuel Mugisha, Executive Director, Rwanda Media Council (Rwanda); Prof. Peter G. Mwesige, Ph.D., Executive Director, African Centre for Media Excellence (Uganda); and Mr. Oliver Modi Taligi, President, Union of Journalists of South Sudan (South Sudan). Perspectives on “Promoting Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue during the COVID-19 pandemic” were shared by Ms. Joy Mboya, Executive Director, The GoDown Arts Centre (Kenya); Mr. Wani Francis Joseph (aka Yuppie Jay), Chief Executive Director and Founder of the Street Beats Foundation (South Sudan); and Mr. Jon Stever, CEO of i4Policy (Rwanda). Experiences on “Fact checking: Sorting, facts, myths, fake news, dodgy health advise, and fake ‘cures’ related to the COVID-19 pandemic” were shared by: Mr. Alphonse Shiundu, Country Editor, Africa Check (Kenya); Mr. Richard Kagoe, Senior Broadcast Journalist at BBC Africa (Kenya); and Mr. Eric Mugendi, Managing editor of PesaCheck East Africa (Kenya). Lastly, Ms. Sasha Rubel, UNESCO Programme Specialist in the Digital Innovation and Transformation, Communication and Information Sector, shared information on UNESCO Resources, Programmes and Activities linked to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Although some technical difficulties were experienced, the webinar empowered media to be agents of change for the dissemination of accurate information about the COVID-19, and increased awareness of issues, best practices and challenges related to misinformation, hate speech, and racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media have such an important role to play in not only fighting this disinformation but also in ‘bringing people together’ metaphorically during this time of confinement, by promoting our ‘unity in diversity’ through your reporting, Accurate, credible media coverage is crucial to stimulating informed public debate and educating the public about the global pandemic. It is fundamental and now urgent in the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals to understand how, by improving their information, media, and technological knowledge, skills, and attitude as well as by broadening their appreciation of cultural diversity, they can more meaningfully engage in intercultural dialogue, peace building and sustainable development, while respecting human rights and promoting better governance
Prior to this pandemic, the UNESCO Regional Office has been working with media on national levels to strengthen capacities for media diversity and cultural pluralism. Through this webinar, UNESCO aims to strengthen cooperation with governments, journalists, media regulatory bodies, media organizations, and non-state actors in the Eastern Africa region. Following this regional webinar, UNESCO will continue to work with media stakeholders on national levels for follow-up actions in the region.