MCDN Preaches Against Fake News, Trains Journalists On Fact-Checking

As part of events to commemorate the 2022 World Press Freedom Day, the Media Career Development Network has trained over 50 journalists on Tuesday.

The significance of the training is tackling fake news in the social media space of Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Journalists from different media houses converged at the Ikeja America Corner, Lagos state to be equipped through the workshop which was funded by the US Consulate-General, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the CEO, Africa Check, David Ajikobi, urged the audience to ensure that the materials they churn out are fully verified to avoid misinformation.

 The apostle of the dangers of disinformation, who spoke on the topic: “Nigeria: How to fact-check politicians and practical approaches to curbing disinformation” stressed the need to scrutinise every piece of information before publishing.

He also advised journalists not to make themselves available for desperate politicians to spread false news before, during and after the 2023 general elections.

Ajikobi opined that giving room for biases can influence the credibility of a report.

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Also speaking, a Knight Fellow at International Center For Journalists, Hannah Ajakaiye, stressed the danger of fake news and decried that social media has fuelled a lot of disinformation.

Worried by the effect, she urged that there is an urgent need to counter disinformation with influence, encouraging the use of social media influencers to push credible information.

She delivered a paper titled: “Digital Strategy For Wider Audience Reach.”

Speaking further, Ajakaiye advised that local languages should be leveraged in the war against disinformation.

The organisers announced a training session in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on Thursday, using a movie screening to educate residents.