ByYunus S Saliu
Premium Time Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) has kicked-start a three-day training program for 40 youth leaders on Media and Information Literacy (MIL).
The MIL training taking place at the Senegambia Beach Hotel, Kololi was organized by the UNESCO to strengthen the capacities of Gambian youth leaders to confidently seek, critically evaluate and contribute to media and information, online and offline.
In his opening remarks via online, Dr Tobi Oluwatola of Premium Time Centre for Investigative Journalism welcomed the participated youth leaders to the UNESCO PTCIJ training, while, in brief, highlighted on importance of the media and information literacy (MIL) training to them.
Dr Oluwatola, among other things, explained and informed about the hazard of misinformation and disinformation including information disorder especially in this era of modern technology devices.
As the country prepare for election, “the first post Jammeh general election,” he noted as he enjoined them to follow the norm to enable them access needed information to consolidate democracy.
He therefore thanked the UNESCO for making the training come to be and in an extension the PTCIJ who had delivered the training.
Caroline Anipah, Program Officer for Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, said the objective of the three-day training is to build the capacity of young people with MIL skills to allow them engage ethically with information and media “particularly social media, for positive community development through peaceful and democratic public discourse.”
Commenting on importance of the training, she said media and information competencies afford youth the knowhow to participate ethically in public debate, debunk fake news and counter hate speech.
She added that cultivation of a media and information-literate youthful population is essential for the sustainable development of any society