Local journalists Maggy Thomas and Eliaser Ndeyanale recently participated in a study trip to Germany, from 10 to 16 November.
The German Embassy in a statement said the visit focused on strengthening media resilience and combating disinformation in Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This study strip addressed digital literacy, digital resilience, disinformation, fact-checking, and hate speech as well as the opportunities and risks of digital tools and AI. Quality journalism, press freedom,m and the role of social media were also covered,” the Embassy said.
Thomas works for the media agency Namibia Press Agency and Ndayanale is part of the investigative team of The Namibian.
“For this study strip, they joined other invited journalists, fact-checkers, and media professionals from Sub-Saharan Africa regions,” they explained.
Ndeyanale said his trip to Germany was an absolute game-changer and he was blown away by the depth of knowledge and expertise he encountered.
“The workshops were incredibly insightful, covering everything from identifying fake news to debunking misinformation. One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to interact with renowned experts in the field. Their insights and experiences were invaluable, providing a fresh perspective on the challenges we face in the digital age,” he added.
The study trip is part took place in Berlin, Bonn, and Hamburg with top media experts and think tanks, such as the German Press Council, German Federation of Journalists, Reporters without Borders, Axel Springer Academy, as well as media outlets, dpa, taz, ARD and the Siegel.
