Bloggers Association of Kenya Hosts Fact-Checking Training in Eldoret to Combat Misinformation
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) hosted a crucial fact-checking training session at the Noble Hotel in Eldoret, aimed at equipping digital content creators with the necessary skills to combat the spread of misinformation in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Over 20 journalists, influencers, and journalism students attended the session, marking a significant step in BAKE’s ongoing initiative to enhance the capabilities of media practitioners across Kenya. The training focused on imparting essential fact-checking techniques, empowering participants to verify information before sharing it with the public.
Mikhail Imbugwa, a media strategist and human rights advocate, led the session and highlighted the urgent need for content creators to play an active role in curbing misinformation. “In this digital era, misinformation travels incredibly fast,” Imbugwa noted. “It’s crucial for content creators to develop the skills and knowledge to avoid being part of the misinformation problem. Today’s session has been productive, and participants now have the capacity to verify stories and share accurate information.”
Imbugwa also emphasized the broader societal impact of misinformation, citing recent debates in Kenya, such as those surrounding the Social Health Insurance Fund. He warned that misinformation often leads to public mistrust in vital institutions, urging content creators to take responsibility in countering these negative effects.
Kioko Kivandi, a media trainer from Egerton University, spoke about the challenges posed by the democratization of information sharing. He noted that with the rise of smartphones, anyone can now create and distribute content, bypassing the traditional checks and balances of mainstream media. “Mainstream media used to have a monopoly on information dissemination, but now anyone with a smartphone can create and share content,” Kivandi said. “This makes it vital for us to continually strengthen our skills in debunking false information.”
BAKE’s Communication Manager, Vallary Lukhanyu, expressed satisfaction with the training session’s outcomes, underscoring the critical role of bloggers and digital journalists in shaping public opinion. “Everyone on social media is now considered a blogger, but not all are credible sources of news,” Lukhanyu said. “Through this programme, we’re empowering media practitioners to fact-check information before sharing it with the public. This ensures the news reaching the masses is credible and accurate.”
This training in Eldoret follows a similar session held in Mombasa two months ago, and BAKE plans to extend the initiative to Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nairobi in the coming months. The goal is to foster a culture of accountability among digital content creators, ensuring that they are equipped to provide reliable and well-researched information to the public.
Lukhanyu also emphasized the growing recognition of digital journalism as a legitimate profession. “Blogging is not just a hobby; it’s a job that deserves respect,” she said. “As more people embrace digital journalism, we must ensure they have the tools to produce credible content.”
As misinformation continues to challenge media landscapes both in Kenya and globally, BAKE’s training sessions serve as a vital step toward building a responsible and informed digital media community, one capable of providing trustworthy and accurate content to the public.
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