In a bid to combat disinformation and misinformation and support the integrity of information in Nigeria, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) and IFEX have trained journalists on Digital Autonomy and Digital Resilience: Enhancing Accuracy and Reliability of Information.
The training session which is a step-down training of an initial Train the Trainer programme held in two phases and had in attendance journalists, fact checkers and human rights defenders.
While delivering his opening remarks at the session, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, emphasized the importance of building journalists’ capacity in the digital era.
Dr Akingbulu warned that misinformation can erode democratic systems and citizens’ rights, stressing the need for resilience in combating these challenges.
The training aimed to empower journalists with the tools and skills needed to uphold media independence, freedom of expression, and the integrity of information in the digital era, ultimately promoting democratic values and human rights in Nigeria.
As part of the program, participants were equipped with open-source tools for fact-checking, enabling them to verify information and hold sources accountable.
The training session was also designed to encourage journalists to explore the knowledge whilst promoting a wider network of fact-checkers and disinformation fighters in Nigeria.
The first phase of the training session was facilitated by Mr. Kehinde Adegboyega, Executive Director of Human Rights Journalists Network and Mr Mayowa Adeniran, Publisher of DNN Media. The second phase of the training which held on June 5th was facilitated by Ms Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher of BONews Service and Mr Ojeakhe Ozoya, Journalist and Producer with FRCN, Ibadan.