IPRT Empowers Social Media Influencers and NEC to Safeguard Elections

Group photo capturing the participants, facilitators, and the IPRT team at the event.

On September 29th, IPRT hosted another pivotal workshop: "Social Media Oversight in Elections: The Power of Influencers." Recognizing the growing influence of digital platforms, the event gathered social media managers, influencers, and National Electoral Commission (NEC) representatives to promote responsible online engagement during elections.

Key Discussion Points:

• Global impact of social media on elections—Lessons from recent African polls

• Challenges & risks—Misinformation, hate speech, and foreign interference

• Role of influencers as watchdogs—holding politicians accountable

• Best practices for ethical social media use—balancing free speech and responsibility

Strategies for Somaliland’s Elections

• Monitoring harmful content without suppressing debate

• Amplifying credible election information

• Collaborating with NEC to counter fake news

A facilitator leads a session on the impact of trending social media platforms like TikTok, engaging a diverse group in a conference room setting.

Participants committed to:

🔹 Applying ethical guidelines in upcoming election coverage

🔹 Promoting fact-based discourse among followers

🔹 Working with NEC to ensure a transparent digital space

IPRT is deeply committed to fostering free and fair elections, and this commitment is evident in its recent workshops. These sessions highlight the organization’s focus on ensuring credible electoral processes through several key initiatives. One of the central themes is media accountability, where efforts are made to ensure that journalists adhere to ethical reporting standards. By promoting such practices, IPRT aims to enhance the integrity of information presented to the public.

In addition to media accountability, IPRT emphasizes digital vigilance. This involves equipping influencers with the tools and knowledge to effectively counter misinformation, which is increasingly prevalent in today’s digital landscape. By empowering these individuals, IPRT seeks to create a more informed electorate.

"Social media can distort or defend democracy—we're training influencers to choose the latter." —IPRT Facilitator

Collaboration among stakeholders is another vital aspect of IPRT’s approach. Bridging the gaps between the National Election Commission, the media, and the public fosters a more cohesive environment for open dialogue and transparency. This collaborative effort is further supported by funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), reflecting the international community's commitment to Somaliland’s democratic progress.

Looking ahead, IPRT plans to continue its training programs for media and digital stakeholders. Monitoring election coverage to ensure compliance with ethical standards will also be a priority. Additionally, public awareness campaigns will be launched to promote responsible voting information, reinforcing the importance of active and informed participation in the democratic process.

The workshop was part of the "Enhancing Citizen Participation in Promoting Government Accountability" initiative, which is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).