Rumour Management Manual: A Training Guide

According to the publishers, Radio for Peacebuilding Africa (a project of Search for Common Ground), in sensitive times, rumours and misinformation can exacerbate growing tensions and the potential for conflict. Rumours can identify possible stories to investigate, or they can cause misinformation, tensions, and violence. This training guide, which was developed through practical experience in Burundi, is designed to support training on how journalists can better analyse and respond to rumours in an appropriate manner that will improve the credibility of the media, educate the public, and, as a result, strengthen democracy.

According to the guide, by the end of the training, participants will be able to: explain what a rumour is and its potentially lethal consequences; handle a rumour in a professional manner and in a way that will not cause violence or further damage; develop strategies to reduce the risk of the emergence and spread of rumours; and be able to recognise their roles and responsibilities as journalists in a conflict situation when dealing with rumours.