Guyanese Journalists Trained to Tackle AI and Disinformation Ahead of Elections
By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News
As Guyana prepares for its general and regional elections on September 1, a cohort of 16 local journalists has returned from a high-level media workshop in Panama aimed at bolstering ethical standards in election reporting.
The one-day session, held on July 8, was hosted by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and funded by the European Union. The workshop focused on disinformation, the ethical use of artificial intelligence in journalism, and best practices for election coverage.
Marcelo Varela Erasheva, Program Manager at IDEA Guyana, emphasized the pivotal role of the press in shaping public opinion, particularly in politically charged environments where false narratives can destabilize democratic processes.
“The problem of lying to the people isn’t just about making them believe falsehoods,” said ErashEva. “It’s about them ending up believing nothing at all. That’s harmful to democracy and the rule of law.”
The training explored how misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content can affect public trust and erode democratic institutions. Journalists were equipped with tools to better analyze and counter information threats during the election cycle.
Javin Singh, Press and Information Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, stated that the session exposed participants to emerging technologies and provided strategies to enhance the credibility of election reporting.
“It has given them insights into how they can improve their reporting in ways that strengthen public trust and democratic resilience,” Singh noted.
Newly elected GPA President Iva Wharton, who also attended the session, said the knowledge gained will be instrumental in elevating the standard of local election coverage.
“With elections coming up and misinformation expected to be high, the training will help ensure more accurate and responsible journalism,” Wharton said.
Topics covered included:
- Information and election integrity
- AI-enabled disinformation in electoral contexts
- Analyzing information threats
- Building resilient information ecosystems through quality journalism
The initiative is part of a broader effort by international partners to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in Guyana, with both local and international election observers set to be deployed across the country.
