Reporters who investigate politics, corruption, conflict and human rights are facing a growing wave of cyber-enabled attacks, ranging from coordinated online harassment and disinformation campaigns to hacked messaging accounts, compromised news websites and threats that spill into real-world danger.

What makes this new threat especially insidious is its reach. A single post can trigger thousands of hostile messages, a hacked WhatsApp account can collapse months of investigative work, an online smear can isolate a journalist socially, professionally and psychologically – all without a single physical confrontation.

For many journalists, the consequence is not just fear, but disrupted reporting, disrupted livelihoods and disrupted lives.“During this period, I lived like a fugitive,” says Ghanaian journalist, Ibrahim Abode, formerly with Channel One TV, as he describes the harrowing weeks between February and April 2025 when online threats forced him into hiding.

The messages were sent by individuals linked to factions involved in the decades-long Bawku chieftaincy conflict.

“After I reported on killings  in both Bawku and Walewale, I was constantly in hiding,” he recalled in a chat with The Fourth Estate. “Whenever I went out, I wore a nose mask to conceal my identity.”

The violence he reported was brutal and unrelenting. In one incident, a bus traveling from Kumasi to Garu was ambushed by gunmen moments after stopping in front of the ADB Bank in Walewale. The attack, allegedly linked to the Bawku chieftaincy conflict, came just days after a similar assault when three passengers were killed and their bus set ablaze near Wulugu on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway.

“Their concerns were that I had reported on some of the killings of people, including women and children,” he recalls.

“The online threats and trolling flooded my phone, turning a digital intimidation into a fear that reshaped my daily life.”

Despite the threats, he believes his reports helped police to bring the culprits to book.

“When I reported, the security [officials] went there, arrested some people and then imposed curfew on the area,” Abode says.

But the threats did not stop with him. Some targeted his immediate family, pushing his mother into a state of fear that saw her begging him to abandon journalism altogether.

As pressure mounted, Abode lost his job at Channel 1 TV. He believes his dismissal was prompted by one of his responses to some of the people who were threatening him. His former employers reportedly insisted that his response was “rude”.

“I am completely traumatised psychologically and still struggling to find my feet,” Abode says with a hint of regret.

A silent takeover

While Abode faced threats linked to violent conflict, Thelma Dede-Amedeku, an investigative journalist and fact-checker with The Fourth Estate, encountered a different form of digital attack: the takeover of her WhatsApp account.

The first sign came in the form of strange messages. These were repeated prompts requesting verification codes she had never asked for. Because she had activated two-factor authentication, she ignored them. But on November 7, 2025, everything changed.

“I got a notification that I had been logged out. I couldn’t log back in,” she says.

Suddenly, she lost access to the platform that held conversations with sources.

“I almost cried. I had sensitive information there. And the person who took over could have accessed all of it. That was terrifying,” Dede-Amedeku stated.

Her organisation had already faced a separate incident where their website was compromised, and stories were wiped from the server. But this personal attack struck harder. The takeover happened at a time when her editor was also experiencing a similar block on WhatsApp, prompting suggestions that both incidents were connected to their work — particularly given their roles in fact-checking and accountability journalism.

She reported the issue, eventually receiving support from the Cybersecurity Authority and Meta to retrieve her account after several days of uncertainty.

Digital attacks increasing in frequency and severity 

Philip Kwasi Banini, Co-founder of iWatch Africa, explains that attacks on digital platforms as experienced by Miss Dede-Amedeku and Mr. Adobe are increasing in both frequency and severity across Ghana.

“Reports from the DisinfoEye initiative shows that insults dominate at 70%, followed by sexual harassment at 20%, and defamation/smear campaigns at 10%,” Mr. Banini told the Fourth Estate. “Approximately 60% of abuse targets female journalists, who face additional gendered attacks such as body-shaming and sexualised threats. 80% of cases occur on X (formerly Twitter), 20% on Facebook. Political commentary drives 50% of abuses, followed by cultural issues (30%) and corruption (20%).”

According to Mr. Banini social media platforms have become the primary battleground for these attacks, making them more public, rapid and harder to trace.

Data by iWatch Africa shows that 502 instances of online abuse were documented in just three months of 2025. In 2020, it recorded over 5,000 cases targeting journalists and rights activists.

The data gathered between July and September 2025 revealed that journalists Richard Dela Sky, Berla Mundi, Serwaa Amihere, and Manasseh Azure Awuni were among the most abused, highlighting a significant threat to press freedom and democratic dialogue.

“Women journalists are disproportionately targeted, attacks often follow stories on corruption, politics, or other contentious issues and coordinated online abuse – rather than random trolling – is increasingly common,” the report noted.

In Ghana, gaps within the legal and institutional frameworks further expose journalists, leaving many without meaningful avenues for redress, according to Mr. Banini.

Cybersecurity and legal experts say that the solution is not merely to pass new laws, but to properly test and enforce existing ones.

Desmond Israel, a lawyer and technology governance expert, told The Fourth Estate that Ghana already has several statutes capable of addressing many of these digital abuses, but they remain largely underutilised.

For example, Mr. Israel argued that Ghana must first examine whether current laws, such as the Criminal Offences Act, the Electronic Transactions Act, the Data Protection Act, and the Cybersecurity Act, already contain provisions that can be leveraged to protect journalists before rushing to pass new legislation.

“You can make laws, but if people are not putting those laws to the test, you’ll never feel their impact. The laws we have are broad. They were not written with today’s platform-driven abuse in mind. When journalists report digital threats, the question becomes: does this fit into an existing offence? That ambiguity leaves many unprotected,” he says.

“Our mechanisms for reporting are fragmented. A journalist may report to the police, but the police may not have the training for digital forensics. Cybersecurity bodies may have capacity, but not the mandate to prosecute. That disconnect leaves attackers emboldened.”

The authors, Juliet Etefe and Winifred Lartey, are 2025 Fellows of the Next Generation Investigative Journalism Fellowship – Cohort 7 at the Media Foundation for West Africa.

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Abuse of journalists in Ghana’s digital space is rising, a trend experts warn could exert a profound “chilling effect” on journalism, undermining a key pillar of a democratic society: press freedom. The survey shows that journalists covering contentious social, political, and cultural issues are increasingly targeted by those opposing their views, often using social media platforms like X and Facebook to launch barrages of insults, sexual harassment, and defamation.

Key findings from 502 cases tracked

The DisinfoEye platform’s third quarter snapshot, analyzed and examined specific instances of abuse across eight journalists, contributing to a total of 502 cases since monitoring began. In all, data from 20 journalists were examined.

Key insights include:

• Abuse types: Insults dominate at 70% (352 cases), followed by sexual harassment at 20% (100 cases), and defamation/smear campaigns at 10% (50 cases).
• Gender disparity: Approximately 60% of abuses target female journalists, who face additional gendered attacks such as body-shaming and sexualized threats.
• Platforms: 80% of cases occur on X/Twitter, 20% on Facebook.
• High-risk topics: Political commentary drives 50% of abuses, followed by cultural issues (30%) and corruption (20%).

A 2020 UNESCO report showed that 31% of journalists tone down coverage due to online harassment, while 15% abandon stories entirely.

Top eight most abused journalists

The DisinfoEye platform identified the following journalists as the most abused, based on harassment instances tracked:

Gendered abuse and press freedom

DisinfoEye’s data reaffirms the UNESCO finding that female journalists bear an extra burden, with 60% of abuses and also face sexualized insults. These attacks suppress diverse media voices. The platform’s hotline received over 50 reports, enabling interventions like counseling and legal support. Smear campaigns, up 25% during election seasons, threaten further growth, with a projected 20% rise by 2026 without action.

Gideon Sarpong, iWatch Africa’s co-founder and digital rights expert, stated:

“iWatch Africa is determined to work closely with CHRAJ, policymakers, and law enforcement to develop protocols for psychological and legal support for journalists, proper reporting of online harassment, and enhanced content moderation. All criminal-level abuses will be submitted to the police and CHRAJ for investigation and redress.”

“The rapid proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic media is dramatically intensifying targeted attacks and abuses against journalists. To counter this escalating threat, the journalism community, tech platforms, and policymakers must adopt far more robust, coordinated, and proactive measures including real-time detection tools, sustained digital-safety training, and enforceable accountability mechanisms for those who weaponise these technologies.”

The DisinfoEye initiative has so far empowered 20 newsrooms in Ghana with Online Safety Units, and trained 5 monitors for real-time tracking, and reached over 5 million Ghanaians through awareness campaigns.

Journalists can directly report abuses via www.disinfoeye.com or contact info@iwatchafrica.org.

The 502 cases documented by DisinfoEye, expose a critical threat to Ghanaian journalists. Through real-time data, advocacy, and partnerships, iWatch Africa is committed to building a safer digital ecosystem to safeguard press freedom and bolster Ghana’s democracy.

Report by iWatch Africa

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Presentations that Set the Agenda

Philip Kwasi Banini opened the substantive part of the meeting with a detailed overview of the project’s aims, including empowering journalists, exposing disinformation campaigns and fostering media literacy. He outlined how DisinfoEye is working to generate credible data, collaborate with tech firms and scale its impact across Ghanaian newsrooms.

Moro Seidu followed with a presentation titled “Understanding Online Harassment & Abuse Against Journalists”. He explained the various forms of digital threats – from doxxing and troll campaigns to sexualised attacks – and reviewed trends specific to Ghana, drawn from recent platform data. Seidu emphasised the gendered dimensions of online abuse and the importance of structured monitoring.

Review of Progress & Impact

The project, supported by Impact Amplifier, set four major outcomes: reducing online abuse of women journalists and children; enhancing internet literacy among journalists; establishing tracking and mitigation systems in 20 newsrooms; and educating over 5 million Ghanaians on protecting journalists. Presenters reported that the training of 20 journalists and 5 monitors is complete, all 20 newsrooms have Online Safety Units underway, and campaign outreach is nearing its 5 million-person target.

Monitors confirmed use of the DisinfoEye platform to document incidents in real-time. They highlighted improved detection and flagging of harassment cases, especially those directed at female journalists.

Challenges & Lessons Learned

Discussion flagged key obstacles: restricted access to social-media APIs due to budget limits, uneven newsroom staffing and capacity, and the difficulty of monitoring abuse across local languages and platforms. Seidu’s presentation emphasised that while data-driven monitoring is essential, without platform cooperation and newsroom resources the impact remains limited. The group agreed on the need for shared resource-pools and flexible tools.

Looking Ahead: Sustainability & Scale

The meeting concluded with a call for the next phase: expanding DisinfoEye to 50 newsrooms by 2026, securing funding for advanced analytics and API access, deepening partnerships with tech firms, and launching refresher training for monitors and newsroom staff. iWatch Africa reiterated its commitment to working with regulatory bodies and media houses to institutionalise online-safety protocols.

Why This Matters

As journalism shifts deeper into digital spaces, the training, monitoring and data-generation spearheaded by DisinfoEye become critical to press freedom, especially in Ghana. The insights shared by Banini and Seidu highlight that without structural support and a monitoring ecosystem, online harassment can silence voices, shrink coverage and weaken democratic accountability.

Source: iWatch Africa

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“We built DisinfoEye because we saw the growing threats journalists—especially women—face online,” said Gideon Sarpong, Co-Founder of iWatch Africa. “This is not just a data platform; it’s a movement to protect truth and ensure that misinformation does not undermine democracy in Ghana.”

The growing threat of misinformation

The digital age has transformed how information is shared and consumed, but it has also given rise to a global crisis of misinformation. False narratives, viral hoaxes, and targeted harassment campaigns have eroded trust in media, undermined democratic processes, and endangered vulnerable groups, including journalists. In Ghana, where the media plays a critical role in fostering transparency and accountability, journalists face increasing threats of online abuse and disinformation. According to a 2024 report by the Media Foundation for West Africa, over 60% of Ghanaian journalists have experienced some form of online harassment, with many targeted by coordinated disinformation campaigns.

iWatch Africa, a leading organization dedicated to promoting digital safety and accountability, recognized the urgent need for a solution that could address this growing threat. DisinfoEye is the result—a robust platform that empowers journalists, fact-checkers, and citizens to combat misinformation effectively and in real-time.

DisinfoEye: a comprehensive approach to fighting disinformation

DisinfoEye stands out as a multifaceted platform that integrates cutting-edge AI technology with community engagement to address misinformation at its core. The platform is designed to operate 24/7, scanning and analyzing content across six or more digital platforms, including social media, news websites, and blogs. With a remarkable 92% detection accuracy, DisinfoEye processes over 200 pieces of content daily, identifying potential misinformation and flagging it for further review.

Key Features of DisinfoEye

AI-Powered Detection
At the heart of DisinfoEye lies its advanced AI algorithms, which are trained to identify patterns of misinformation in real-time. By analyzing text, images, and metadata, the platform can detect false narratives, manipulated content, and coordinated disinformation campaigns with unparalleled precision. This capability ensures that users stay ahead of emerging threats, enabling rapid responses to viral falsehoods.

Community Reporting Tools:
DisinfoEye empowers users to contribute to the fight against misinformation by submitting detailed reports on suspicious content. These reports feed into a growing database, which enhances the platform’s ability to track and analyze misinformation trends. By fostering community participation, DisinfoEye creates a collaborative ecosystem where citizens and professionals work together to uphold truth.

Social Media Monitoring:
The platform’s social monitoring tools track viral content and analyze social media patterns to identify the spread of misinformation. By mapping how false information propagates across platforms, DisinfoEye provides actionable insights for journalists, fact-checkers, and policymakers to counter disinformation campaigns before they gain traction.

Digital Safety and Empowerment:
Beyond detection, DisinfoEye prioritizes the safety and empowerment of its users. The platform offers resources and training programs to equip journalists and citizens with the skills needed to navigate online threats. From digital safety workshops to fact-checking guides, DisinfoEye ensures that its users are well-prepared to confront misinformation and harassment.

“Technology alone isn’t enough—we need communities to take part,” added Sarpong. “DisinfoEye blends advanced AI with human engagement to create a safer, more informed digital space.”

Impact in Ghana: training and awareness

As part of its launch, DisinfoEye has already made significant strides in Ghana. iWatch Africa has trained 20 journalists in digital safety and fact-checking, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to combat online abuse and misinformation. These journalists, drawn from various media houses across the country, are now part of a growing network of professionals dedicated to upholding truth in Ghana’s media landscape.

In addition to training, iWatch Africa has launched a nationwide digital campaign to raise awareness about misinformation and promote digital literacy. With a goal of reaching over 5 million Ghanaians, the campaign leverages DisinfoEye’s real-time tools to educate the public on identifying and countering false information. By focusing 95% of its efforts on combating disinformation, DisinfoEye is driving a cultural shift toward greater accountability and transparency in the digital space.

A call to action: join the fight for truth

The launch of DisinfoEye marks a pivotal moment in the global fight against misinformation. iWatch Africa invites individuals, organizations, media professionals, and civil society groups to join the DisinfoEye movement and contribute to a more informed digital world. By signing up at www.disinfoeye.com, users can access the platform’s real-time tools, submit reports, and learn more about its cutting-edge technology.

The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it accessible to a wide audience, from tech-savvy fact-checkers to everyday citizens concerned about the spread of false information. Whether you’re a journalist tracking a disinformation campaign, a citizen reporting a suspicious post, or an organization seeking to promote digital literacy, DisinfoEye offers the tools and resources to make a difference.

The technology behind DisinfoEye

DisinfoEye’s approach sets it apart as a leader in misinformation detection. The platform’s algorithms are designed to adapt to the evolving tactics of disinformation campaigns, ensuring that it remains effective against new and emerging threats. By analyzing linguistic patterns, visual manipulations, and network behaviors, DisinfoEye can identify subtle signs of misinformation that might go unnoticed by human moderators.

To ensure transparency and accountability, DisinfoEye provides users with detailed reports on flagged content, including the reasoning behind its detection. This feature not only builds trust in the platform but also educates users about the characteristics of misinformation, empowering them to make informed decisions about the content they encounter online.

Looking ahead: a vision for a truthful digital future

The launch of DisinfoEye is just the beginning. iWatch Africa envisions a future where the platform serves as a cornerstone of digital safety and accountability across Africa and beyond. By expanding its reach, enhancing its AI capabilities, and forging partnerships with media organizations, governments, and tech companies, DisinfoEye aims to set a global standard for combating misinformation.

In the coming months, iWatch Africa plans to roll out additional features for DisinfoEye, including enhanced analytics for tracking disinformation campaigns and expanded training programs for journalists and community leaders. The organization is also exploring collaborations with international fact-checking networks to amplify the platform’s impact.

Get involved today

iWatch Africa invites all stakeholders to join the DisinfoEye movement and take a stand against misinformation. Visit www.disinfoeye.com to sign up, explore the platform’s features, and contribute to the fight for truth.

“With support from partners like Impact Amplifier, we’re building a model that can be scaled across Africa to protect democratic discourse and defend truth,” Sarpong concluded.

For inquiries, contact iWatch Africa at:
📩 Email: info@iwatchafrica.org
📞 Phone: +233 240 791 865 | +233 560 520 654
📍 Address: No. 11 Dr. Morton Loop, Adabraka, Accra

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The training is part of a broader initiative to safeguard press freedom, protect media workers from digital threats, and generate credible data to push for stronger accountability and policy interventions. Over the next three months, the trained monitors will observe the social media activities of ten selected journalists across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Using DisinfoEye, a purpose-built monitoring platform developed by iWatch Africa, they will document incidents of online abuse in real time. 

Philip Kwasi Banini, co-founder, welcomed participants by outlining the key aims of the project: to empower individuals with the skills to identify and resist misleading content; expose disinformation campaigns through data-driven investigations; foster media literacy among vulnerable populations, particularly students and marginalized communities; and collaborate with policymakers and technology companies to promote ethical information ecosystems.

“This initiative is not just about tracking abuse—it’s about protecting the voices that keep our democracy alive. When journalists are silenced by fear, the public loses access to truth,” he stated.

Moro Seidu then delivered a detailed Project Overview and Understanding Online Harassment & Abuse Against Journalists presentation. He explained the different forms of online harassment—such as doxxing, threats of violence, troll campaigns, sexualized abuse, and disinformation attacks—emphasizing that women journalists face unique, gendered, and often sexualized threats. Drawing from UNESCO’s 2021 report, he noted that 73% of women journalists globally have experienced online abuse, with many altering their reporting or abandoning stories entirely due to harassment. Moro also shared trends from iWatch Africa’s data, highlighting the rise of cyberbullying, coordinated troll campaigns, and politically motivated disinformation attacks in Ghana, particularly targeting female reporters after political or investigative stories.

“Online abuse is a global problem, but in Ghana, it threatens press freedom in very real ways. By equipping monitors with the skills to document these attacks, we are building a strong evidence base to push for accountability,” Moro said.

The session moved into a hands-on segment led by Shafui, an IT and Resources Personnel who demonstrated the DisinfoEye platform and guided participants on how to accurately log abuse cases, apply filters and tags, and maintain consistency in reporting. A simulation exercise followed, allowing participants to practice identifying abusive content and entering cases into the platform as if in a live monitoring scenario. 

The training concluded with a discussion on reporting requirements, documentation standards, and the project timeline.

This initiative is part of iWatch Africa’s commitment to advancing digital safety, media freedom, and the protection of human rights. The Online Safety Monitoring Program is supported by Impact Amplifier. Members of the public can follow the tracking of online abuse in real time by visiting: www.disinfoeye.com.

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In recent years, Ghana has experienced a notable increase in digital threats—particularly those targeting journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. Women journalists have become especially vulnerable to gender-based abuse, including threats of violence, doxing, and smear campaigns. These attacks are often strategically orchestrated to discredit journalism, silence critical voices, and erode public trust in the media.

According to UNESCO, more than 73% of women journalists globally have experienced some form of online harassment, with many African journalists facing increasingly coordinated attacks. In Ghana, these digital threats are worsened by limited institutional support, weak reporting mechanisms, and inadequate digital safety training in newsrooms, as highlighted by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).

DisinfoEye is iWatch Africa’s strategic response—designed to empower journalists, especially women, with the tools, training, and support necessary to navigate and counter online abuse and misinformation. This initiative is part of the organization’s broader commitment to defending digital rights and press freedom across the region.

As part of the DisinfoEye campaign, 20 journalists were selected to undergo intensive training in digital safety, fact-checking, and online harassment response. These journalists will act as focal points in their respective newsrooms, leading the establishment of Online Safety Units to track and respond to abuse and disinformation.

“The rise in coordinated online attacks against women journalists is alarming,” said Gideon Sarpong, co-founder of iWatch Africa. “DisinfoEye is a bold response that combines data, advocacy, and training to ensure the digital space does not silence those who hold power to account.”

Real-time digital platform for reporting and support

A core component of the campaign is the upcoming launch of an interactive digital platform that allows for real-time reporting and monitoring of online abuse and disinformation incidents. Journalists can anonymously report cases of harassment and receive timely support. The platform will also serve as a critical data resource for policy advocacy and coordinated stakeholder responses.

DisinfoEye is driven by strong partnerships with technology companies, human rights organizations, regulatory bodies, and media watchdogs. Data collected through the platform will be shared with these stakeholders to inform policy changes and tech interventions, ensuring a more secure online environment for journalists.

Digital campaign to reach over 5 million Ghanaians

Beyond the newsroom, DisinfoEye includes a nationwide digital awareness campaign aimed at reaching over 5 million citizens. The campaign features engaging videos, infographics, and interactive media to educate the public on the harms of disinformation and the importance of protecting women journalists online.

iWatch Africa envisions a democratic society where journalists—especially women—can work free from fear and intimidation. DisinfoEye is not only a response to immediate threats but a forward-looking initiative that redefines how digital safety and accountability are pursued in Ghana.

The launch of DisinfoEye represents a critical milestone in the fight against online abuse and disinformation in Ghana. Through a combination of training, real-time data tracking, public advocacy, and institutional collaboration, iWatch Africa is addressing both the symptoms and root causes of online violence.

By empowering journalists, establishing newsroom safety units, and promoting a culture of digital responsibility, DisinfoEye reinforces the message that no journalist—especially women—should be silenced, intimidated, or forced offline for doing their job.

The digital space must be a platform for constructive dialogue, not a weapon of harm—and with DisinfoEye, Ghana takes a bold and necessary step in that direction.

Source: iWatch Africa

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With support from the Impact Amplifier Foundation, iWatch Africa is equipping journalists from  newsrooms across Ghana to establish online safety units within their organizations. This initiative responds to the increasing threats and online violence faced by journalists, especially female journalists.

This program is part of iWatch Africa’s broader digital rights initiative to track, document, analyze and counter threats against journalists and media workers within West Africa’s digital ecosystem.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a Ghanaian nationals, aged between 18 and 45 years.
• Be a journalist or work within the media ecosystem.
• Be committed to influencing positive change in their newsroom or media organization.
• Media development practitioners and activists involved in media support programs in Ghana are also encouraged to apply.

Note: Female journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

All selected applicants will be MANDATED to participate in the tracking of online abuse and harassment of journalists across Ghana.

Program timeline

• Application Deadline: 13th June 2025 at 11:00 PM GMT.
• Notification of Selected Applicants: 27st June 2025
• Training Date: TBD
• Tracking of abuses and harassment: TBD
• Please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not hear from us by the close of June, 2025.

Costs related to participation will be fully covered by iWatch Africa.

Apply here by clicking here or copy and paste URL into your browswer https://forms.gle/ue1hDrkaNjV6uE3d7

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In today’s digital age, journalists often encounter significant challenges online, including harassment, threats, and misinformation campaigns aimed at silencing their voices. The grant from Impact Amplifier Foundation will enable iWatch Africa to implement targeted programs and initiatives aimed at equipping newsrooms and journalists with the necessary tools and resources to counter online abuse effectively.

“We are grateful to the Impact Amplifier Foundation for their support in addressing this critical issue,” said Philip Banini, Project Lead of iWatch Africa. “Online abuse not only threatens individual journalists but also undermines press freedom and the integrity of our profession. With this grant, we will be able to implement impactful strategies to promote a safer and more respectful online environment for journalists.”

The grant will be used to develop and deliver training workshops, create online resources, and establish support networks for journalists experiencing online abuse. iWatch Africa aims to foster resilience among journalists and newsrooms, enabling them to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and security.

Through this partnership with Impact Amplifier Foundation, iWatch Africa is committed to advancing press freedom and defending the rights of journalists across Africa.

For more information about iWatch Africa and its initiatives, please visit https://iwatchafrica.org/

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iWatch Africa with support from Impact Amplifier Foundation, is equipping and assisting 20 journalists from twenty newsrooms in Ghana to set up online safety units in response to the growing online violence experienced by journalists, particularly female journalists.

This project is a sequel to iWatch Africa’s digital rights initiative launched in 2020 to track, document and analyze threats against journalists, media workers within the digital ecosystem in West Africa.

Eligibility:
Applicants are expected to be:
• Ghanaian nationals aged between 18 and 45 years old, and must be prepared to influence change in their newsroom or organization.
• Must be a journalist or work within the media ecosystem.
• People or activists who directly contribute to media development programs in Ghana.

NOTE: Female journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements:
All selected applicants will be MANDATED to introduce a protocol on dealing with online abuse and harassment of journalists in their organization after the program.
Applicants should follow our social media handles: Twitter: @iwatchafrica for updates.
Important Dates:
• Deadline for applications:  18th May 2024; 11: 00pm GMT. Applicants will also be selected on rolling basis.
• All selected applicants will be contacted by 23rd May, 2024.

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Terms of Reference:

Working Together to Curb Illicit Financial Flows from Sub-Saharan Africa Project

Introduction

iWatch Africa

iWatch Africa is a non-governmental media and policy organization based in Ghana. We are focused on media development initiatives including tracking and reporting on digital rights, trans-national organized crime, Illicit Financial Flows, human rights abuse, climate change and environmental abuses in Africa. We are part of Thomson Reuters Foundation’s 3-year project on Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique and Ghana.

Thomson Reuters Foundation

Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, champions media freedom, inclusive economies, and human rights globally. Registered in the UK and USA, we drive systemic change through news, legal assistance, and convening initiatives. Currently, we’re leading a 3-year project on Illicit Financial Flows in Africa, focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Mozambique and Ghana.

Background

Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) denote the illicit transfer of funds across borders, encompassing actions deemed illegal, unethical, or harmful to the economies and societies involved. These activities encompass tax evasion, money laundering, corruption, and illicit trade, all of which yield severe economic, social, and political repercussions for both developed and developing nations.

Pinpointing the exact scale of IFFs proves challenging due to their clandestine nature. Nonetheless, estimates from entities like Global Financial Integrity (GFI) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) suggest annual losses amounting to trillions of dollars due to IFFs. Developing countries bear a disproportionate burden, with illicit outflows often surpassing official development assistance and foreign direct investment.

In contrast to developed nations, where income tax stands as a primary revenue source, developing countries heavily rely on trade-related taxes. Despite the establishment of initiatives like the East Africa Community (EAC) Customs Union and Trade Protocol in 2005 to bolster intra-regional trade and enhance member countries’ productive capacities through trade agreements and tariff schedules, recent research by the Anti-Corruption Evidence initiative (ACE) reveals a significant rise in rent-seeking behavior over the past 15 years. This surge, attributed to trade misinvoicing and smuggling, results in substantial revenue losses. Notably, GFI estimates indicate that trade misinvoicing alone accounts for two-thirds of all IFFs, totaling $600-900 billion for developing countries annually. Tariff evasion, while a global issue, exacerbates in nations struggling with enforcement of tariff rates and customs regulations, leading importing firms to engage in trade misinvoicing to evade tariffs or move capital abroad.

For instance, in Ghana, Illicit Financial Flows show its face through money laundering, tax evasion, under-invoicing, internet fraud, the extractive industry, fishing industry, forex market imports and the real estate sector.

In 2019, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) reported that an audit of Customs Management Systems discovered that about 1.8 billion dollars had been transferred outside the country. With regards to exports, EOCO with support from the Precious Minerals Marketing Commission (PMMC) examined about 10 gold companies for the period of 2018 to 2020 and from these 10 companies, it was noticed that about 1.1 billion dollars’ worth of gold was transferred outside the country.

Given this context, iWatch Africa with support from the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), intends to provide training for journalists. The goal is to empower journalists with the necessary skills to craft stories that expose concealed financial activities, raise public consciousness, and aid in the fight against corruption, tax evasion, and other types of financial misconduct that hinder sustainable development in Tanzania.

Objective

iWatch Africa and TRF advocate for journalists to possess comprehensive knowledge of IFFs. Equipping journalists with the skills to investigate and report on these matters ensures that the public gains awareness of how these practices deplete resources and hinder development. Journalists will consequently assume a crucial role in ensuring accountability for governments, corporations, and individuals engaged in IFFs.

Scope of work

1. Investigative Journalism: Techniques and Practices
2. Building and Pitching Your Investigation: Strategies for Effective Communication
3. Planning and Sourcing: Developing a Comprehensive Approach
4. Sources and Searching: Methods for Gathering Information
5. Tax and DRM (Domestic Resource Mobilization): Understanding Current Trends
6. Review, Learning Points, Action Planning: Reflecting on Progress and Setting Goals
7. Tax Avoidance, Offshoring, and Tax Havens: Exploring Strategies and Consequences
8. Gender and Human Rights: Examining Intersectional Issues
9. Credibility, Accuracy, and Media Trust: Upholding Journalistic Integrity
10. Pitching Session: Presenting Your Investigation with Impact
11. Organizing and Protecting Data, Sources, and Self: Safeguarding Information and Security
12. Money Laundering: Uncovering Illicit Financial Activities
13. Legal Issues: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Investigative Journalism
14. Extractive Industries: Investigating the Impact and Practices
15. Review, Learning Points, Action Planning: Iterating Strategies for Improvement

Modality

An array of modalities will be employed to deliver comprehensive training sessions, incorporating dynamic PowerPoint presentations, interactive discussions, hands-on activities, multimedia demonstrations, case studies, role-playing exercises, and real-world simulations.

Targeted Audience

This capacity building session intends to strengthen the knowledge of 10 journalists in Ghana.

Duration

The training will be held in April, 18-19 2024 Accra, Ghana. After the training, the consultant will be provided with 10 working days to submit the training report before the final payment is made.

Expected outcomes.

Following the training, journalists who have undergone the program will need to produce

and disseminate thoroughly researched, influential articles concerning Illicit Financial

Flows (IFFs) across various media platforms. Equipped journalists will also be allowed to

partner with experts to improve their coverage of IFF practices.

How to Apply

1. Qualifications

We are seeking local trainers who demonstrate a strong background and expertise in their respective fields. To ensure the highest quality of candidates, applicants should meet the following qualifications:

2. Relevant Experience: Applicants should possess a proven track record in delivering training sessions or workshops related to Illicit Financial Flows. This should be reflected in their CVs and cover letters.
3. Recent Training Workshops: Applicants must provide details of the last two training workshops they conducted. This information should include the topics covered, the duration of the workshops, and the target audience. It should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to effectively plan, organize, and deliver training sessions.
4. Regional Work Experience: Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working within the region. Applicants should provide references to any work they have done in the region, highlighting their familiarity with local contexts, challenges, and opportunities.
5. Media/Professional Networks: Applicants should showcase their involvement in relevant media or professional networks within the region. This could include memberships, affiliations, or partnerships with organizations, associations, or groups related to the field of training.
6. Alumni Organizations: Candidates who are associated with alumni organizations related to education, training, or professional development are encouraged to highlight these affiliations in their application. Alumni networks can serve as valuable resources for networking, collaboration, and support.
7. Communication Skills: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for effective training delivery. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to convey complex information clearly and engage with diverse audiences.
8. Adaptability: The ability to adapt training approaches to meet the needs of different audiences and learning styles is crucial. Applicants should provide examples of how they have tailored their training methods to accommodate various learning preferences and abilities.

8. Team Player: The ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders is essential. Applicants should demonstrate their capacity to work well within a team environment, contributing positively to group dynamics and achieving common goals.
9. Please provide us with your cv and a cover letter if interested.
10. All documents should be sent to info@iwatchafrica.org with the subject “Journalism Training Scheme” by 5th April, 2024. 

Only shorlisted applicants will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by the end of April, 2024 then your application was not successful. Thank you.

The post iWatch Africa Consultancy – Call for media trainers in Ghana appeared first on iWatch Africa.