Tripoli, 23/June/2021–    During two different two-day sessions targeting journalists and social media influencers, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Government of Japan has transferred skills to these groups of media practitioners on misinformation related to COVID-19 and conflict. Participants learnt how to communicate responsible messages, avoiding hate speech and stigma to contribute to peacebuilding, and the implementation of measures to tackle COVID-19.

These trainings are part of the UNDP support to the COVID-19 response in Libya and count with funds from the Government of Japan. This is the second part of the series of trainings on misinformation and conflict-sensitive communication that UNDP organized since the outbreak of the coronavirus. The first part took place online last year and targeted mayors and municipal communication officers.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Japanese Embassy to Libya, Mr. Masaki Amadera, said: “COVID-19 pandemic is a human security crisis in Libya. The Government of Japan partnered with UNDP in Libya to help institutions and civil actors rapidly identify the most vulnerable groups and design policy options to minimize the impact. The objective of this event is to build the capacities of journalists and social media influencers to mitigate the worst threats of misinformation and hate speech.”

On his part, UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Gerardo Noto, stated: “Social media are filled with disinformation on the COVID-19 response. Proliferation of dangerous disinformation and misinformation threaten pandemic responses and put more lives and livelihoods at risk. Media practitioners can play a key role to prevent hate speech and stigma. As part of UNDP support to the COVID-19 response, we work closely with journalists and social media influencers for better communication to support of people in Libya.”

Japan is committed to help Libya recover from conflict and get back on the road to development. Hence, it became a solid partner for UNDP in Libya supporting initiatives to address development challenges, amount them, those compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic such as human security; health and Universal Health Coverage (UHC); rule of law; conflict prevention and peacebuilding; and risk-informed development. With funds from the Government of Japan, UNDP has been able to help create more than 400 jobs for youth and vulnerable people in one year and collect more than 2,000 private company data in 14 municipalities to assess the impact of the coronavirus in Libyan’s economy.