Journalist Thomas Dixon Completes EU Training On Information Manipulation

Seasoned Sierra Leonean Journalist and Media Tutor has completed two days European Union training on Information Manipulation in the just concluded Connecting Media Communities Programme in Pristine, Kosovo.
The two days programmed looked at issues surrounding Forigen Information Manipulation and Interference.
Aivo Orav, the EU Ambassdaor In Kosovo welcomed partipants from all over the world to Kossovo, noting that disinformation/FIMI is the enemy of our time, noting that rumours go out of control and become prevalence.
“Russia is using Misinformation as prey to hoodwink people around the word. Disinformation has geographical boundaries. It is not just a matter of truth but a matter of war,” he said.
Atifete Jahjaga, Former President of Kossovo who was the keynote speaker spoke about freedom of the Press and the potrayal of women using her expreinece as a politician and former President of Kossove as the basis of the topic.
She said that the freedom of the media and the safety of journalists are essential for countries that want to prosper and that democracy has no ability to thrive and survive in information darkness.
She said that a free and value press is very essential and that Journalists need to remind the people of who they are and how they are meant to be and at the same time informing the public of promises kept and unkept.
“It is essential for the media to ensure fact based conversations to keep the citizens well informed and aid in decision making,” she said.
She stressed that Media not only creates social and national cohesion by helping build a sense of community, but that it also sets an agenda of priorities, big and small, that come to construct our public engagement mosaic and define our roles and responsibilities.
She said that they need to do their outmost to ensure the freedom of the media as it is essential, so that the information it disseminates is fact-based and reliable, so no hand or power should affect or try to affect the dignity of this institution.
“When I talk about the press freedom, I also emphasize their moral, professional and legal obligation to provide reliable news, deep and qualitative analysis, and especially the immediate avoidance and elimination of gender and sexist prejudices against all women who are part of public life, “ she stated.
On the portayal of women in public life by the media she noted that media’s portrayal of women often reinforces stereotypes, affecting public perception and limiting women’s roles in politics and society, adding that it does not only undermines women’s contributions but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination.
“It’s crucial to address these biases to foster an inclusive society,” she empahsised.
Journalists from all over the world including one of Sierra Leone’s finest journalists discuss the Future of Journalism in the Age of Disinformation, Digital Storytelling and AI Generated content, Constructive Journalism and Investigative reporting among others.
Thomas Dixon expressed his thanks to EU for the oppotrtunity accorded him to be trained on FIMI and other critical isssues of media devlopment, noting the topic were well dealt with and will empower him to practice his craft.
“I have gained a lot of knowledge on issues of constructive journalism, election reporting and digital safety and security for journalists. It was also a unique opportunity to interface with journalists from across the world and leanrt about their challenges as well as solutions to those challenges,” Thomas Dixon maintained.
At the end of the training, the journalists came up with a Charter which includes build society’s trust in media in the digital era, ensure journalist safety, secure sustainble financial resources for indepndent media, and streghthen fact-checking and verification capacities.