At a time when misinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms, trusted local media and informed youth play a crucial role in countering the challenges that come along with this.
A new BMZ funded project has just been launched to respond to this challenge and is set to improve media and information literacy, promote responsible information sharing, and empower journalists and youth to combat misinformation across 21 counties in Kenya.
This three-year initiative builds on two previous phases and is promoted in cooperation with the Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET).
This project is much more than training, “it is about building trust” emphasised Tom Mboya, KCOMNET’s national coordinator.
“Together with trust-building, mentorship and collaboration among community media outlets and the schools are key components. By equipping young people and radio stations with the skills to verify and share accurate information, we are laying the foundation for communities that can resist misinformation and make informed decisions”, explained Mr. Mboya.
By strengthening community radio stations and establishing School Journalism Clubs, communities are empowered to engage with information critically and responsibly, while young people gain the knowledge and confidence to debunk fake news.
A strengthened community media sector, working together with youths, will significantly reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation, believes KCOMNET’s coordinator.
“Together, they will foster a culture of critical thinking and informed decision-making, ensuring that people are better equipped to navigate complex information landscapes and build resilience against manipulation”, stressed Mr. Mboya.
Strengthening Community Radios in Kenya
Community radios remain one of the most influential and accessible sources of information for millions of Kenyans. The project will establish 27 community radio stations and train 54 journalists – two for each radio station.
Their training will focus primarily on capacity building to enhance the quality, transparency, and credibility of journalism. Special attention will be given to fact-based writing and reporting, added Moses Provabs, KCOMNET’s program manager.
To explicitly support data-driven journalism, the project will also ensure that journalists have access to the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP) through the Pesa Yetu and can draw on accurate data for reporting.
In addition, awareness campaigns through the community radios will be an crucial component of media and information literacy.
These campaigns will aim to help communities identify misinformation and to respond critically, equipping them with new knowledge and skills, highlighted Mr. Provabs.
Through this outreach, the program is expected to reach more than 10 million listeners across the different 21 counties.
Empowering Youth through School Journalism Clubs
Alongside the expansion of community radios, 27 School Journalism Clubs will be established in secondary schools. The main purpose of these Clubs is to enable students to engage with the basic elements of ethical journalism, teaching them about their digital rights and responsibilities.
“The students will learn how to assess and question online content, understand the implications of sharing information online, and how to deal with that critically”, Mr. Mboya, KCOMNET’s coordinator, explained.
For each school, there will be a trained teacher responsible for the Journalism Clubs, guiding and mentoring the students.
The aim is to have at least ten students joining each Club, consequently reaching approximately 270 students.
The Journalism Clubs will also encourage knowledge transfer to other journalists and youths and communities.
By strengthening the capacity of community journalists and empowering young people with media literacy skills, “Our County – Our Responsibility” will contribute to stronger and more informed communities among the 21 Kenyan counties.
Accurate information is a fundamental right. By equipping journalists and youth with the skills to discern truth from falsehood, this project strengthens Kenya’s democratic fabric, fosters social cohesion, and builds resilience against digital threats.
“Our County – Our Responsibility” is funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO).
Read more on our previous projects “Our County – Our Responsibility”:
