Media for Peace & Social Cohesion

The West Africa region continues to grapple with persistent and emerging conflict dynamics driven by political instability, violent extremism, identity-based tensions, and the rapid spread of mis and disinformation. These challenges are increasingly transnational in nature, cutting across borders and undermining regional peace, social cohesion, and democratic governance. 

The media occupies a critical position in shaping public understanding of conflicts, influencing perceptions, and either mitigating or exacerbating tensions. Weak professional standards, limited capacity in conflict-sensitive reporting, and the growing influence of extremist, divisive, and false narratives have constrained the media’s potential contribution to peacebuilding in the region. Addressing these gaps is essential to strengthening early warning, promoting dialogue, and supporting regional conflict prevention efforts.

Our strategic objective for the Media for Peace and Social Cohesion programme over the next five years (2025-2029) is, thus, to engage with the media to address extremism, polarisation, mis/disinformation and promote conflict prevention

The specific objectives of the programme are as follows:

1) To strengthen collaboration with ECOWAS to promote the principles of the ECOWAS conflict prevention framework through the media

2) To improve the capacity of the media in contributing to regional peace and stability efforts through peace and conflict-sensitive journalism

3) To counter mis/disinformation, extremist and polarising narratives and mobilise stakeholders to address polarisation

You may read more about What We Do or our Overall Strategy.