As part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of maritime journalism in the Gulf of Guinea, a core component of a three-day journalism training placed a spotlight on tackling the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation within maritime reporting.
Organised by the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Institute (GoGMI) in partnership with the Enhanced Maritime Action in the Gulf of Guinea (EnMAR), the training took place from October 7 to 9, 2025, in Accra.
It brought together journalists and media professionals to build their capacity in reporting on maritime security, safety, and the blue economy.
The three-day training aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge, tools, and skills to effectively report on complex maritime issues and the European Union’s activities in the region.
Central to the discussions was the urgent need for ethical journalism, fact-based reporting and verification, especially in a region where maritime affairs are often underreported or misrepresented.
Delivering the keynote address, Air Vice Marshal Frank Hanson (retired) noted that the Gulf of Guinea remains “the least spoken about in the public sphere,” despite being critical to regional trade, security, and sustainable development. He urged the media to bridge the awareness gap and help correct public misconceptions through well-informed, accurate reporting.
RelatedNews
Echoing this, Emmanuelle Lecuyer of EnMAR emphasised that “journalists in the region are now becoming more aware of the necessity to fight against disinformation in this critical domain.”
Understanding and Identifying Information Disorder
On the first day of the training, Executive Chairman of GoGMI, Vice Admiral Issah Yakubu (Rtd.), delivered a session on ‘Contextualising Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea’. He drew attention to the importance of accurate terminology and geographic verification in maritime reporting.
“We (Ghana) have 12 nautical miles to claim… Verify where it happens before reporting. Is it in our territorial waters? Is it armed robbery or is it piracy?”
His remarks underscore the critical need for journalists to understand maritime law and the nuances of territorial jurisdiction when reporting on maritime incidents. Misreporting such incidents can mislead the public, undermine national security narratives, and even escalate diplomatic tensions.
To address these challenges, the training offered tools and strategies for fact-checking, and navigating complex maritime data.
Tools and Techniques for Verification
The founder of the Malian Network of Investigative Journalists (RMJI), David Dembele, led an in-depth session on Investigative Journalism, Data Journalism, and Open-Source Techniques on day 3.
He introduced participants to practical investigative tools such as Wayback Machine, Archive.VN, GeoSpy.net, PimEyes, PrankMeNot, etc, and verification sources such as International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Global Fishing Watch, Investigative dashboard, and Offshore Leaks by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
He further stressed the role of data teasers – small verifiable clues hidden in open-source data and how these can unravel complex maritime crimes such as illegal fishing, transhipment, or piracy.
Legal and Institutional Sources
The Director of Ghana Navy Legal Affairs, Naval Captain Naa Ayeley Akwei-Aryee, highlighted the importance of understanding legal frameworks in maritime journalism.
“The maritime industry is a complex and highly regulated sector that requires a robust legal framework to ensure safety, security, and environmental protection….By understanding the legal authorities in the maritime domain, journalists can provide more accurate, informed, and nuanced reporting on maritime issues,” she said.
She emphasised the need to consult legal frameworks such as:
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
- International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
- International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
- Maritime law enforcement agencies(such as coast guards)
- National Maritime laws and regulations.
The training reinforced the fact that combating misinformation is not optional; it is essential to the credibility and impact of maritime journalism.
Journalists were urged to go beyond surface reporting by adopting investigative tools, verifying claims through reliable sources, and understanding the legal and geopolitical context of maritime issues.
As the Gulf of Guinea remains a hotspot for maritime activity, empowering the media with the right skills to fight disinformation will be key to ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainable maritime governance.
By Nusrat Essah
Featured image courtesy of @glovben on X
