Yemisi Olusina
Journalists, newsroom managers and bloggers have been advised not to allow themselves to become tools to spread disinformation as the 2023 general elections approach.
The Nigeria Editor, Africa Check, Mr. David Ajikobi who gave the advice in Lagos during a Fact-checking masterclass for journalists, cautioned them against becoming amplifiers of disinformation and misinformation from politicians, especially on narratives around ethnicity, religion and language.
Citing the Kenyan post election crisis which was fueled by disinformation, Mr. Ajikobi stated that Africa Check organized the fact-checking master class with support from the United Nations Democracy Fund to equip Nigerian journalists with tools to detect and fight disinformation and misinformation which usually have life changing impacts on citizens.
On the importance of fact-checking to the media industry, a researcher at Africa check, Mr. Allwell Okpi emphasised the need for newsmen to verify information before publishing as incorrect data have far reaching consequences.
Findings by The Nigerian Xpress revealed that participants in the workshop were selected from diverse media organisations, with some of them stating that the knowledge acquired will reflect on their jobs and their media organisations, which will in turn check the spread of misinformation before, during and after the 2023 elections.
