Media Workshop Empowers Border Counties on Conflict-Sensitive Reporting

Editors from various media houses gathered on Tuesday for a workshop on conflict sensitive reporting, with a strong emphasis on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

The event was organized by UCRD Consult a communication and knowledge management firm with the support of Deris Wanaag.

It aims to enhance accurate, inclusive, and impactful storytelling from these regions

Deris Wanaag, is a cross-border initiative promoting peace, stability, and socio-economic growth across the borderlands of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

The project underlines the importance of collaboration among local governments, diverse communities, and cross-border partners to foster lasting peace.

The training emphasized the critical role of media in shaping narratives that support peacebuilding and development.

Participants explored ways to improve reporting on sensitive issues, bridge communication gaps, and provide platforms for dialogue among communities.

Media houses were urged to play their role promoting unity and addressing shared challenges in the historically tense regions.

Local journalists and media organizations from the border counties have, since the beginning of the year, been equipped with skills aimed at increasingly enabling them to become active contributors to solutions in conflict-prone borderlands.

Through collaborative initiatives, media outlets in the region have helped reshape narratives from ones of division and conflict to those that emphasize unity, shared opportunities, and peaceful coexistence.

Following trainings for members of the press, local radio stations, newsletters, and digital platforms have become vital tools for sharing messages of peace and tolerance.

This has helped amplify the voices of marginalized communities, provide accurate information, and foster mutual understanding.

The engagement is critical in reducing tensions and promoting collaboration among local governments, civil society organizations, and the communities they serve.

The workshop also recognized the media’s pivotal role in peace and security efforts in regions historically plagued by extremism and militia activities.

Media outlets are partnering with security agencies to broadcast alerts, updates, and real-time security information.

This collaboration has aided the coordination of cross-border patrols and interventions while also dispelling misinformation that could otherwise escalate tensions.