Kenyan Journalists’ Perceptions of Capacity-Building Initiatives in Combating Misinformation

Abstract

The era marked by widespread misinformation and complex disinformation tactics—including deepfakes and algorithmically amplified fabrications — continues to see journalists under pressure to maintain the integrity of news production and restore public trust. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of Kenyan journalists with regard to the effectiveness, relevance, and access to capacity-building initiatives designed to empower them with the knowledge and tools to combat misinformation. Drawing on in-depth interviews with reporters, editors, and media trainers from a cross-section of Kenyan media institutions, the study explores ways in which journalists experience and evaluate professional training programs, workshops, and newsroom interventions. Findings reveal both consciousness of ongoing efforts and gaps in content delivery, institutional support, and technological resources. Journalists put emphasis on the need for continuous, context-specific training, particularly in digital verification strategies, how to make ethical decisions, and critically engage with social media platforms. The study’s conclusion indicates that while capacity-building initiatives are vital in strengthening media resilience, their long-term impact is dependent on sustained dedication of the institutions, collaboration with networks involved in fact-checking, and integration into journalism education curricula. These insights are timely in contributing to the broader unending debate on media sustainability, press freedom, and journalists’ role as frontline defenders against misinformation in democratic societies.