International Press Centre organizes training on fact-finding for Nigerian journalists
The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria supported by the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) have organized training on fact-checking for 80 Nigerian journalists to aid the credibility of electoral information as Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states set to hold an off-cycle governorship election on November 11, 2023
Penpushing reports that Communications Officer, International Press Centre (IPC), Olutoyin Ayoade made this known in a statement, explaining that the 80 journalists are selected from the print, electronic and online media
‘The fact-checking workshops kick-start the iVerify project of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria supported by the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP)’, the statement emphasised.
Penpushing further reports that Ayoade recalled that 27 male and female journalists from Kogi state participated in the first leg of the training in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on October 27 and 28, while another 27 from Bayelsa State are currently attending the workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement added that 27 journalists from Imo State will be trained later in the week, explaining that the focus of the presentations at the workshops are: the art of questioning in journalism and being Detectives of Misinformation to be handled by Mr. Taiwo Obe, founder Journalism Clinic and fact-checking of information to promote electoral integrity, by Mr. David Ajikobi.
Penpushing also reports that Nigerian Editor of Africa Check; Combating Electoral Information Disorder or Fake News the INEC Experience by Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to Chairman of the commission.
The statement added that ‘The Dangers of Information Disorder or Fake News to Peace Building and Conflict Resolution is to be treated by Dr. Emmanuel Mamman, Director of Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Penpushing reports that addressing the Kogi and Bayelsa states participants, Mr. Matthew Alao, Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security of United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) Nigeria said electoral disinformation and fake news in general are major threats to the ability of citizens to have the right information during electoral processes and elections, therefore also constituting threats to democracy.
The International Press Centre (IPC) Programme Manager, Mrs. Stella Nwofia equally explained that the iVerify project is enabling the centre to continue with its mission of promoting good journalism through best practices in ensuring factual accuracy of news.
Penpushing further reports that Nwofia said, the objective of the training is to equip the journalists with the requisite skills and knowledge to enhance the integrity of information on the electoral processes in the respective states, especially the campaigns, the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and post-election democratic accountability and governance issues.
‘The workshops are also building the skill of the journalists on how to use fact-checking tools for the purpose of combating the menace of false information during the electioneering period while also introducing them to the workings of the iVerify system and their likely role’, she added.
‘Media professional organisations collaborating with IPC on the iVerify project and who nominated some of the participants include the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)’, the statement reads.
Penpushing also reports that the statement explained that highlights of the workshops can be followed on International Press Centre (IPC) social media channels with the HASHTAG #VerifyBeforeYouShare.
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