2-day media training on countering hate speech underway in Jur River

A two-day media training on combating hate speech, propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, and the importance of backchecking, targeting 25 journalists and social media influencers, commenced in Jur River County’s Marial-Bai Payam in Western Bahr el Ghazal state on Wednesday. 

The training is being facilitated by Hope Africa South Sudan with funds from UNDP and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). It takes the participants through dangers and impact of hate speech, misinformation and disinformation on peace and social cohesion and how they contribute into conflict drivers.

The participants were also taken through hate speech in the digital and social context, responsible use of social media, role of social media in amplifying or countering hate speech as a tool for peace and social cohesion.

At the end of the training, the participants are expected to combat hate speech.

Speaking during the opening of the training, Hope Africa South Sudan representative Tekla Baptist Okello said training of part of Hope Africa South Sudan’s program on peacebuilding.

“The program is targeting Jur River County in particular for six months, and there will be a lot of programs related to peace. Last week we carried out activities in Kwajiena and Mbili Payams,” said Okello. “We are currently in Marail-Bai Payam, and we have a two-day training targeting journalists and social media influencers. Before this activity, we put out an advertisement because there will be a competition for journalists and social media influencers at the end.”

“Our program is to motivate and encourage journalists in Jur River county so that they carry out their duties in a good manner,” she added.

On his part, the representative of the state ministry of information, Kamilio Losang Karban, welcomed the training and said the participants will benefit.

“This training is very important because it focuses on hate speech, disinformation, misinformation, and propaganda,” he stated. “I hope the journalists will also benefit from the competition.”

Karban urged the journalists to report accurate information so that their stories do not foment violence.

“As a journalist, you have to investigate the information,” he stated. “I am calling on you to report accurate information that will not create instability within the community.”

The training is under the theme “Promoting positive narrative for social cohesion-countering hate speech, propaganda and disinformation.”