20 October 2024
The newly formed Federation of Southern Africa Journalists (FESAJ), is expected to help combat disinformation and misinformation. Unions Journalists’ leaders from Southern Africa have come together and formed the Federation of Southern Africa Journalists (FESAJ), a new regional body aimed at uniting efforts to combat disinformation and misinformation.
The formation of FESAJ is a key outcome of a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) held in Gaborone, Botswana, in the second week of September 2024. The gathering brought together journalist unions from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Deputy President, Tim Dawson, the IFJ Africa Leader, Pa Luis Thomasi and the President of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), Omar Faruk.
The new federation will advocate for the rights of journalists across Southern Africa, promote ethical journalism, and lead the charge against the spread of disinformation and misinformation in the region.
FESAJ’s founding leadership includes Jemima Beukes (Namibia) as Secretary General, Perfect Mswathi Hlongwane (Zimbabwe) as President, Marafaele Mohloboli (Lesotho) as Deputy President, Phillimon Mmeso (Botswana) as Deputy Secretary General, and Cristina Maria Patricio Xavier (Mozambique) as Treasurer.
The event, organised through the collaboration of the Botswana government, the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, FAJ, and IFJ, was a training designed to equip journalists with Media and Information Literacy (MIL) skills, essential for verifying sources, countering false information, and maintaining high standards of ethical journalism.
The urgency of the ToT programme stems from the increasing spread of disinformation and misinformation, which have not only undermined public trust in journalism but also posed a threat to democratic processes in the region. By enhancing journalists’ ability to fact-check and educate the audience, the initiative aims to restore the integrity of information.
FAJ President, Omar Faruk Osman, stressed the Federation’s dedication to the importance of these initiatives.
“The spread of disinformation and misinformation is a direct threat to the role of the media in society. Journalists must be at the forefront, ensuring the public has access to reliable, accurate information.
Our role is to ensure that truth prevails, and that journalism is not undermined by falsehoods. Through these capacity-building efforts, the Federation is empowering journalists across the continent to lead the charge against disinformation, restoring public trust in the media.” – FAJ President, Omar Faruk Osman, stressing the Federation’s dedication on the importance of these initiatives.
During the workshop, participants adopted a Regional Action Plan to tackle disinformation and misinformation. The plan emphasises the importance of MIL training, public awareness, and regional collaboration in fact-checking efforts. It also calls for stronger policies that protect journalists when they expose falsehoods and promote a culture of accurate and accountable reporting.
“This is a tool that many journalists can draw on, and it will be useful for every media practitioner at any level,” said Alton Grizzle, MIL expert at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The successful launch of FESAJ and the implementation of the MIL programme marks the beginning of a broader strategy that will be rolled out across Africa’s five regions. These efforts will focus on enhancing the capacities of journalists, raising public awareness, and advocating for stronger measures to protect ethical journalism and safeguard democratic values.
