By Dare Akogun
Nigeria’s independent fact-checking platform, Dubawa, recently trained journalists based in Kwara State on fact-checking and verification tools.
The training, the first of its kind for journalists in the state, was organized by the SOBI FM chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of the activities marking its press week.
It was aimed at equipping media practitioners in the state with skills and tools for fact-checking given the myriads of false information that spreads.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of Sobi Chapel of NUJ, Dare Akogun, said the training will not only help in promoting credible information dissemination in Kwara state and Nigeria as a whole but also equip media practitioners in carrying out their core mandate of giving the right information to the people.
“We are in an era where all manner of information is accessible on social media,” he said. “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 the 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.
The Editor of Dubawa, Kemi Busari, who took to participants on introduction to journalism said people’s biases at times influence how they gather and interpret information before sharing.
He took the participants on the information disorder ecosystem, fact-checking, and the importance of verification.
Silas Jonathan, a Dubawa researcher took the second 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.
The Sobi FM Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, which commenced, on Monday, December 13, 2021, also featured a medical examination and health talk for members of the chapel and other staff of the station.
Source: Dubawa.org
Published on December 17, 2021
