ECOWAS Media Chiefs Move to Tackle Disinformation, Deepen Regional Integration Coverage

Directors-General of national television stations across West Africa have gathered in Cotonou to strengthen collective action against misinformation about the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and enhance public media collaboration in promoting regional integration.

The two-day meeting, organised by the ECOWAS Commission’s Directorate of Communication with support from the German Government, brought together heads of national broadcasters and ECOWAS National Bureaus from 12 member states.

Participants underscored the importance of strengthening public television networks in countering misinformation and improving visibility of ECOWAS programmes, policies, and achievements across the sub-region.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Mr. Abdoulie Gassama, highlighted the critical role national broadcasters play in shaping public understanding of regional initiatives.

He described public television stations as trusted institutions with the reach and credibility necessary to bridge communication gaps between ECOWAS institutions and citizens. He stressed that effective communication remains essential for sustaining confidence in the bloc’s peacebuilding, economic integration, and democratic governance efforts.

The meeting comes amid growing concerns over the rapid spread of false narratives on digital platforms, making coordinated media engagement more urgent. Stakeholders are expected to explore content-sharing frameworks, joint programming opportunities, and structured partnerships to ensure consistent and accurate reporting on ECOWAS activities.

Opening the session, the Chairman of the ECOWAS Administrative and Financial Committee, Komba Momoh, called for practical outcomes from the dialogue.

Represented by Ms. Laygbay Lilian Amadu, Deputy Director of the ECOWAS Country Office in Sierra Leone, she urged participants to move beyond discussions and focus on actionable strategies that would support sustained programming and broader coverage of regional initiatives.

She emphasized that stronger cooperation between ECOWAS and national broadcasters would promote transparency, counter misinformation, and encourage greater public ownership of regional policies.

The Cotonou deliberations are expected to produce concrete commitments aimed at institutionalising collaboration between the ECOWAS Commission and public television networks.

Officials said the initiative represents a strategic step toward strengthening the regional body’s communication ecosystem and ensuring that West Africa’s integration narrative is accurately projected across member states.