The Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications held a three-day training of trainers' workshop on conflict-sensitive reporting for peace building in Kenya. The training which began on July 5, 2023, brought together 25 participants drawn from regulators, media institutions, peace building and fact checking organizations', and academia in Kenya.
At the training, participants were equipped with knowledge and skills on how to identify various sources of conflicts, the role of media in influencing the portrayal of conflict, and how to deliver trainings on conflict sensitive reporting for peace building, including how to optimize the online platform for teaching and learning.
Speaking at the training, Prof. Nancy Booker, Dean of Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) at Aga Khan University stated that: “Conflict-sensitive reporting promotes responsible journalism by ensuring accurate, impartial, and sensitive coverage of conflicts. By adhering to best practices, media professionals can contribute significantly to peace-building efforts and foster a deeper understanding among diverse communities in the country."
John Okande, Program Officer at UNESCO indicated that training was great step to building a network of trainers with requisite knowledge and skills on delivering trainings on conflict sensitive reporting and peace building using modern teaching methods in Kenya.
The first day of the training saw participants practically engage on the causes of conflict and the role of media in conflict reporting, management, and peace building. Dr. Ann Nyokabi, a facilitator shared various examples of how media can expose the core causes of conflict while also providing platforms where “adversaries" can face each other to collectively seek solutions. Mary Kiio, a media expert and another facilitator used the example of a fruit tree located on the boundary line of two neighbours to demonstrate how conflict can be exacerbated if there is no dialogue and consensus between parties.
On the second day, participants were taken through modern training methodologies and effective learner management in the delivery of online courses. Edward Ombajo implored participants to not only share knowledge when training, but to work towards “igniting the flame of curiosity by empowering learners and creating a collaborative learning environment."
The last day saw participants cover conflict sensitive reporting course design and testing, as well as effective ways of engaging learners. Participants also got a chance to reflect on the training and how they would apply the skills and knowledge covered in their own training.
Peter Wainaina, a lecturer at Chuka University said, “as a young lecturer, I believe that this training marked the beginning of my effective delivery of knowledge and skills to my students using the participatory model. The realisation that we should move from a learner-centred to a learning-centred approach where the facilitator also gets to learn was the highlight for me."
Dr. Charles Nyambuga, a faculty member from Maseno University and one of the participants said, “the training was very timely because this region is full of conflicts at all levels and journalists are at the centre of reporting those conflicts. Training journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting ensures peace in our region,"
Christine Magoma, Communications Officer at Africa Center for People Institution and Society (ACEPIS) shared her experience stating that the workshop was an eye-opener. She said “The training was highly informative. I learnt new approaches to designing conflict-sensitive reporting courses and engaging my trainees in an evocative and meaningful way."
The training was organised under UNESCOs project “Social Media 4 Peace", which is funded by the European Union and implemented in Kenya. The initiative seeks to strengthen the resilience of societies to potentially harmful content spread online, in particular hate speech inciting violence while protecting freedom of expression and enhancing the promotion of peace through digital technologies, notably social media.
