WAICTANet’s Peterking Quaye Urges Journalists to Embrace AI-Aware Fact-Checking at Local Voices Liberia Symposium
As misinformation continues to threaten democratic discourse, the West Africa ICT Action Network (WAICTANet) joined journalism students and media professionals for a timely conversation on truth and technology during the Fact-Checking Symposium for Journalism Students, held at the Liberia Learning Center in Paynesville City. The event, organized by Local Voices Liberia, brought together students, editors, and civic-tech leaders under the theme “Stopping Disinformation to Enhance Democracy – What Students Need to Learn.” It aimed to equip the next generation of journalists with practical verification skills, AI awareness, and digital tools to identify and combat misinformation.
Representing WAICTANet, Peterking Quaye, the organization’s Director of Programs and Projects and a Certified AI Governance Expert, served as one of the two main panelists. With over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, AI policy, and civic technology, Quaye urged aspiring journalists to approach their profession with both curiosity and critical digital literacy. “Fact-checking today is not just about detecting lies; it’s about understanding the technology behind how those lies spread,” said Quaye. “Artificial Intelligence has changed the information landscape. Journalists must now learn to verify not just sources, but also the algorithms, images, and AI tools shaping public narratives.” He called on journalism students to embrace digital literacy as a core professional competency, emphasizing that combating disinformation requires both technical skill and ethical grounding.
“Technology can amplify misinformation, but it can also amplify truth — if used wisely,” Quaye noted.
“Our mission at WAICTANet is to empower journalists, innovators, and women to use technology as a tool for transparency, education, and good governance. ”Quaye expressed deep appreciation to Local Voices Liberia for the invitation and partnership in fostering a culture of accountability and responsible information sharing in the digital age. “We are sincerely grateful to Local Voices Liberia for providing this platform,” he said. “Building a generation of fact-checkers and ethical journalists begins with opportunities like this — where students learn that truth and technology must coexist for democracy to thrive.”
The symposium also featured Hannah N. Geterminah, Co-founder and Chief Editor of The Stage Media (TSM) — Liberia’s first fact-checking institution and a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). Together, both panelists guided participants through practical exercises, verification tools, and real-time case studies on detecting misinformation online.
