Sandbondtenga: A training session on 'institutional communication in a context of war' brought together journalists, communicators, and activists from the Sandbondtenga province this Tuesday in Kaya, in order to strengthen their capacity to manage sensitive information and to fight against disinformation in the Kouls© region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the session was organized by the Regional Directorate of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism of Kouls©, with the aim of equipping participants with crisis communication techniques and promoting responsible institutional communication that fosters social cohesion and patriotism.
Isma«l Diloma Sirima, a journalist, communications consultant, and trainer, emphasized the importance of managing sensitive information during crises. He highlighted the risks associated with internal documents, military positions, rumors, images of victims, and unverified videos. Sirima warned that indiscriminate reporting can endanger lives and stressed that the media and digital actors must inform responsibly by verifying facts and adhering to ethical standards and professional responsibility.
Trainer Souba Diao underscored that producing institutional communication content should align with the national defense strategy, which supports the morale of the population and the Defense and Security Forces. This approach aims to strengthen national cohesion, counter divisive narratives, and restore trust between institutions and citizens. Diao recommended using local languages and promoting tangible progress, such as the return of populations, the reopening of schools and markets, and inter-community dialogue initiatives.
The discussions that followed enabled participants from local radio stations, regional television stations, and national press correspondents to share their experiences and raise awareness of journalistic ethics, as well as adapting messages to socio-cultural and security realities.
Safiate Oubda, the regional director in charge of communication for Kouls©, emphasized the importance of this capacity building to preserve trust between institutions and populations and to consolidate a network of actors committed to responsible information in the region.
The training session was held under the chairmanship of the governor of Kouls©, represented by his technical advisor, Rasman© Nikiema.