UNESCO and AKU Join Forces to Tackle Misinformation in Kenyan Newsrooms
Trainers, Editors and media Managers pose for a photo during the training of Promoting Gender-transformative Media and Information Literacy Competencies in Kenyan Newsrooms held at Aga Khan University (AKU) Graduate School of Media and Communications.
By Sharon Atieno
Nairobi, Kenya – September 22, 2025 – UNESCO, in collaboration with the Aga Khan University (AKU) Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC), has wrapped up a two-day training programme aimed at equipping newsroom leaders in Kenya with skills to combat misinformation and disinformation while promoting inclusive journalism practices.
The initiative, titled “Promoting Gender-transformative Media and Information Literacy Competencies in Kenyan Newsrooms”, brought together editors, media managers, regulators, and representatives of journalists’ associations from across the country.
The training, conducted under UNESCO’s Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) initiative, focused on strengthening newsroom capacity to detect, verify, and counter false information while integrating gender-transformative media and information literacy (MIL) into newsroom policies.
Participants were trained in fact-checking, verification methods, and strategies to embed inclusive approaches in editorial leadership. Emphasis was placed on the role of newsroom leaders in shaping culture, standards, and policies that can foster ethical reporting, safeguard public trust, and counter harmful online content.
Professor Nancy Booker, Dean of GSMC, described the partnership as a timely intervention for Kenya’s media sector.
“By focusing on editors and media leaders, we are empowering those who set the tone for journalism in Kenya. Ensuring representation beyond Nairobi demonstrates inclusivity, and the lessons gained here will help transform newsrooms into spaces that not only resist misinformation but also champion gender-inclusive and evidence-based storytelling. We are proud to be part of this effort to safeguard truth and strengthen civic trust,” she said.
John Okande, UNESCO’s Programme Coordinator, underscored the importance of building newsroom resilience against information disorder.
“This training is a crucial step in empowering Kenya’s media leaders to promote information integrity and counter misinformation and disinformation. By equipping editors and media managers with gendered MIL competencies, we are laying strong foundations for ethical journalism and ensuring the media remains a trusted source of information for all,” he noted.
The collaboration signals the start of a broader push to strengthen African media in confronting misinformation while advancing democratic values.
UNESCO and GSMC have called on news organizations, regulators, and civil society to scale up similar initiatives and make media and information literacy a cornerstone of editorial policy and journalistic practice across the continent.
