{"id":74127,"date":"2025-04-22T09:55:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T09:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/liberia\/all-news\/local-voices-liberia-partners-strengthen-media-and-civic-engagement-ahead-of-nimba-county-senatorial-by-election"},"modified":"2025-04-22T09:55:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T09:55:16","slug":"local-voices-liberia-partners-strengthen-media-and-civic-engagement-ahead-of-nimba-county-senatorial-by-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/liberia\/all-news\/local-voices-liberia-partners-strengthen-media-and-civic-engagement-ahead-of-nimba-county-senatorial-by-election","title":{"rendered":"Local Voices Liberia, Partners Strengthen Media and Civic Engagement Ahead of Nimba County Senatorial By-Election"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Liberia. <\/strong><\/span>Participants of the training in Ganta posed for a photo with facilitators and the Chair of the National Election Commission (NEC) on day one of the workshop<\/p>\n

Local Voices Liberia (LVL), in collaboration with media development partners, has implemented several activities to support the conduct of the Nimba County senatorial by-election slated for April 22.<\/p>\n

With funding from the European Union through the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) implemented by Internews Europe, LVL partnered with the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP), JournoRage, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the Liberia Media for Development Initiative (LMDI) to implement these initiatives geared toward strengthening Liberia\u2019s democracy.<\/p>\n

Between April 10 \u2013 16, LVL and its partners conducted two intensive fact-checking and investigative journalism workshops in Ganta and Tappita, training over 40 journalists from various media institutions across Nimba County. These six-day workshops equipped journalists with the necessary skills to identify and counter mis\/disinformation, ensuring accurate and independent coverage of the upcoming by-election.<\/p>\n

The two training workshops targeted over 40 participants from various media outlets in Nimba County. The objective is to prepare them to ethically and professionally cover the by-election<\/p>\n

Participants acquired skills in fact-checking, investigative journalism, human rights reporting, and gender sensitive reporting, amongst others, important election-related topics\/themes<\/p>\n

To further support this initiative, 10 journalists will receive story grants to enable them to produce in-depth investigative reports and fact-check stories related to the electoral process.\u200b<\/p>\n

\u201cOur collective goal has been to support Liberia\u2019s democratic credentials through popular election. And, to me, we have achieved that,\u201d said Samuka Konneh, Internews Country Director.<\/p>\n

Recognizing the critical role of an informed electorate and the threat of election disinformation, LVL organized two fact-checking symposiums in Sanniquellie and Ganta, respectively, engaging over 100 participants. These events featured lectures and panel discussions on the spread and impact of election-related disinformation, emphasizing the importance of verification and critical thinking among voters.<\/p>\n

The symposium featured a lecture on fact checking and a panel discussion \u2014 panelists (pictured above) share their perspective about the threat of election disinformation<\/p>\n

Over 100 persons participated in the two symposia \u2014 they shared their views on disinformation and learned how to counter false information during elections<\/p>\n

Atty. Alpha Daffae Senkpeni, Executive Director of Local Voices Liberia, emphasized the organization\u2019s commitment to combating disinformation and promoting electoral integrity.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisinformation is a persistent threat to our democracy,\u201d Atty. Senkpeni said. \u201cThrough these initiatives, we aim to empower journalists and citizens alike to recognize and challenge false narratives, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent and credible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atty. Senkpeni (pictured) facilitated the symposia by sharing basic knowledge on fact-checking and verification<\/p>\n

Participants learned how mis\/disinformation can undermine the credibility of elections and potentially incite violence, and they were provided with knowledge to discern and verify false information.\u200b<\/p>\n

One key activity was the collaboration to successfully conduct a senatorial candidate debate. On April 16, LVL partnered with CEMESP and LMDI to host the debate at Nimba University in Sanniquellie City.<\/p>\n

The event, attended by four candidates, provided a platform for them to present their policies and engage directly with constituents. The debate was aimed at fostering transparency and allowing voters to make informed decisions at the polls.\u200b<\/p>\n

The debate was an opportunity for the candidates to share their platforms, engage one another, and for the electorate to engage the candidates<\/p>\n

A big thank you to UNDP, UN Women and the National Elections Commission and the Liberia National Police for the collaboration; and to the European Union for funding our activities through the Liberia Media Empowerment Project (LMEP) and the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), Konneh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have played our part. From training and preparing journalists to professionally and sensitively cover the election to enhancing the relationship between journalists and security officers, from conducting public symposia on election misinformation to conducting civic and voter education with young people and then to conducting candidates\u2019 debate, I strongly believe that Nimba is ready for a peaceful and transparent election,\u201d Konneh said.\r\n