Empowering Fact-checking in South Sudan (EFiSS) Fellowship : Sustainable Independent Media Activity
Partner: IREX, USAID
Timeline: 1 June 2023 - 30 September 2023
The three-month Combating Disinformation and Promoting Ethical Reporting Fellowship is designed to empower 40 content creators with the tools and knowledge to address disinformation, promote gender-sensitive reporting, and prepare for ethical journalism during elections. The program combines online and in-person training, equipping participants with practical skills to produce accurate and impactful content that challenges harmful narratives.
Through weekly Zoom workshops, fellows will learn fact-checking and verification techniques, supported by practical exercises and case studies that explore the impact of disinformation on communities and conflict. The fellowship also emphasizes gender-sensitive reporting, training participants to address gender-based violence and discrimination ethically and to produce content that promotes gender equality and challenges traditional stereotypes. The program prepares journalists for operating in challenging election environments by offering training on election fact-checking, safety, and ethical considerations. Fellows will also learn to set up mechanisms for monitoring and reporting election-related violence and misconduct, ensuring citizens have access to credible and reliable information during election cycles.
Participants from various locations, including Abyei, Baliet, Wau, Jur River, Kapoeta North, Budi, Leer, Mayendit, and Juba counties, will attend one-day in-person meetings and engage through Google Classroom and WhatsApp for continuous learning and collaboration. This fellowship aims to build a network of informed content creators capable of combating disinformation, promoting gender equality, and fostering transparency and accountability during elections.