Editor
By Fatima Saka
In waging war against the widespread use of false information and hate speech, a Veteran has called for collaboration between government, media organizations, and individuals to combat these challenges in the media space.
The Executive Director, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) Dr Akin Akingbulu made this call during a two day workshop, technical training of fifteen (15) Journalists on Capacity Building and Best Practice Presentation.
The session was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Tagged: Fact-checker Cohort (G-15), the training aimed at fighting against the widespread of false information and hate speech in the society. Funded by the European Union to support the democratic governance of Nigeria.
In an effort to disengage the activities of media propaganda by obliterating Misinformation and Disinformation in the society and the social media ecosystem,
Dr. Akingbulu said that promoting media literacy and fact-checking is essential for the media to uphold transparency, freedom of expression, and the ability to discern truth from falsehood.
The expert further stressed that misinformation and disinformation has posed a serious threat to democracy in Nigeria, adding that this distortion of information erodes trust in the media landscape in today’s digital age, “false narratives spread like wildfire, impacting public opinion, electoral and broader governance processes.”
While welcoming the Journalists to the two days Capacity Building and Best Practice Presentation, Technical Training for Fact Checkers Cohort, the Executive Director of CEMESO express his delightness as he charged the participants, “we embark on this journey to enhance our skills and understanding in addressing misinformation and disinformation in the larger context of fake news and hate speech in the electoral cycle and broader governance areas.
“As one of the partners implementing the European Union Support to Democratic Governance (EU-SDGN) Phase II project, and providing Support to Media Components, this training targets this result area that Media professional capacity to deal with electoral misinformation and disinformation.
“We must equip ourselves with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly.
Assembling this exceptional group was not easy. We meticulously reviewed applications and held individual conversations to assess your suitability.
“Your enthusiastic responses and unwavering commitment shone through throughout the process. With such passion, we are confident that this group will achieve great things together.
“I would like to acknowledge the dynamic composition of this group, the “G-15.” This group of 15 individuals boasts a diverse range of backgrounds, each bringing unique expertise and skills to the table.
“We have news editors, content writers, freelance journalists, digital specialists, editors, journalists, reporters, production editors, broadcast journalists, senior reporters, fact-checkers, content creators in new media, correspondents, fact-media monitors, presenters, social media specialists, producers and presenters.
“This rich tapestry of experiences and talents fills us with excitement. We reason that we have successfully assembled the right candidates to be reskilled and approach the challenge of misinformation and disinformation with a comprehensive understanding and a broad array of strategies.
“The diverse motivations within this group illuminate the tremendous enthusiasm driving your pursuit of fact-checking roles. For many, it’s about combating the spread of misinformation and ensuring truth prevails. Others are drawn by the desire to uphold journalistic integrity and contribute to a more informed society. Some see fact-checking as a weapon against the detrimental impact of fake news on public discourse and democracy. Many are motivated by the opportunity to develop the skills needed to navigate the evolving media landscape responsibly, ensuring accurate information reaches the public. Ultimately, our collective drive stems from a shared commitment to promoting truthfulness, combating misinformation, and restoring trust in the media.
“We are here to learn and unlearn so that we can contextualize and document trends and issues related to misinformation, disinformation, and fake or misleading content, specifically for broadcasters and media professionals. Additionally, we aim to equip you with practical skills to address these challenges and make relevant tools and techniques readily available to you and your organizations.
“Let me reiterate, we are gathered here to enhance media professionals’ capacity to tackle electoral misinformation and disinformation. At CEMESO, we have a clear expectation: each participant will contribute fact-checking content to our tracker hub. This collaborative effort ensures we combat false narratives not only during election cycles but also in broader governance contexts.
“The content you create will further serve the interests of our partner newsrooms and the general public through promotion and widespread dissemination of fact-checked information on the electoral process and broader governance issues.
“Over the next two days, our smart will focus on various aspects of fact-checking, from understanding the electoral process to exploring fact checking tools and formats for verified content. We will engage in hands-on sessions to enhance our skills and examine case studies to deepen our understanding.
“One unique aspect of this program is the transition into a cohesive cohort. We will continue to work with our facilitators as mentors to provide ongoing guidance. Additionally, the project offers data reimbursement for your monthly content contributions. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in making the most of the resources available.
At this juncture, I want to thank the EU for providing the funding support.
“I urge the G-15, this promising group to pay rapt attention so you can benefit maximally from this capacity building. Remember, the success we achieve together will pave the way for a more resilient and trustworthy media ecosystem. I pray no one will fall away,” he added.
