By Dare Akogun
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its fact-checking initiative DUBAWA recently trained journalists based in Ondo State on digital skills, fact-checking, and verification tools.
The training which is in partnership with the Google News Initiative, is aimed at building African newsrooms’ capacity in digital journalism skills, verification, and fact-checking journalism given the myriads of false information that spreads.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Director of CJID Akintunde Babatunde, said the training will not only help in promoting credible information dissemination in Ondo state which is preparing for an off-cycle election to elect the governor for the next four years, but also equip media practitioners in carrying out their core mandate of giving the right information to the people.
Represented by the Deputy Director accountability project Mboho Eno said the training is essential because it has been noticed that misinformation is very rampant during an election year.
“We are in an era where all manner of information is accessible on social media. It has become necessary for journalists to become educated, skilled, and equipped in the act of fact-checking.
“This training will enable journalists to independently confirm information in their various positions before sharing with others to debunk or disregard them because the advent of social media has heightened the negative impact of fake news and misinformation,” he added.
Lois Ugbede and Temilade Onilede who took to participants on understanding information Disorder and Fact-checking steps and methodology respectively, said people’s biases at times influence how they gather and interpret information before sharing.
They took the participants on the information disorder ecosystem, fact-checking, and the importance of verification.
Silas Jonathan, a Dubawa researcher took a session bordering on tools needed for fact-checking.
He emphasized that as a fact checker, a great deal of patience needs to be exercised while trying to get the right information about a statement, comment, video, or picture.
Lateef Sanni also takes the participant on digital safety and security for journalists, talking about how a journalist can protect their activities on the internet.
