Gambia Participates has taken a leading role in efforts to strengthen the country’s capacity to combat electoral misinformation and hate speech ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The organisation, in collaboration with the Fundación para la Internationalization de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), has launched a three-day capacity-building workshop in Kololi aimed at equipping journalists, fact-checkers and civil society organisations with practical tools to detect and counter false information.
The training forms part of the EU-supported Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) project, which is implemented by FIAP with funding from the European Union, the German Cooperation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Executive Director of Gambia Participates, Marr Nyang, said the initiative is designed to respond to emerging challenges in the information space, particularly the growing use of artificial intelligence in spreading manipulated content during political processes.
He noted that the workshop will not only focus on traditional fact-checking methods but will also introduce participants to digital approaches, including how AI can be used to detect and counter misinformation.
“One of the key areas of interest is how we use technology, including AI, to fact-check AIgenerated content,” he said, adding that misinformation has become a major concern during electoral cycles.
FIAP representative Maria Balian Alvaro Sanchez, delivering virtual remarks, stressed that the initiative is intended to strengthen local media and civil society capacity, rather than serve external actors.
She encouraged participants to use the training to build stronger networks and foster collaboration among stakeholders working on media integrity and democratic governance.
The workshop is expected to enhance preparedness among media professionals and civil society actors as The Gambia approaches a politically sensitive election period in 2026.
