THE International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has partnered with the University of Lagos, Lagos state, and the University of Calabar, Cross River state, on countering misinformation and promoting media literacy.
The partnership resulted in a two-day training for the institutions’ students from November 8 to 9 on the “Countering Misinformation and Promoting Media Literacy” project.
It aims to reduce the dissemination and impact of misinformation in Nigeria by promoting media literacy and responsible information sharing among citizens.
The German Embassy in Abuja supports the project.
Students were given a thorough step-by-step guide on combatting false news, identifying phishing websites, and verifying images and videos.
They were also taught how to write pitches, use OSINT tools, and archive claims online, among others, at the training held within the schools’ premises.
The ICIR editor, Bamas Victoria, who headed the facilitators, explained what could be said to be misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. She also stressed the need to cross-check sources cited in a report.
The seminar emphasized the need to identify false news circulated on various platforms and how to fact-check using the tools available.
Facilitators at UNILAG include Kemi Busari, Editor of DUBAWA, Kimberly Kures, author and Content Creator, and Victoria Bamas, Editor of the ICIR.
Students at the event expressed gratitude to the organisers as they revealed it was an eye-opening seminar.
The UNILAG’s head of the Department of Mass Communication, Adepoju Tejumaiye, a professor, urged the students to take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
“The session is going to be interesting, informative, and enlightening. Our profession continually evolves, and it is a dynamic field. You have been carefully selected because we believe you will effectively share the knowledge gained with your colleagues. By the end of this training, you will be pleased that you participated in it. Welcome to a world of learning,” he said.
Some students who shared their experiences after the training noted that the seminar taught them not to be purveyors of false news and always to check sources of information obtained on social media and other platforms.
The ICIR team, led by Bamas, paid a courtesy visit to the school’s Vice Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, a professor.
Folasade warmly welcomed the team and expressed delight at the team’s presence and collaboration with her institution.
She lauded the project and highlighted the prevalence of misinformation in the media space.
The vice chancellor noted that even experienced journalists sometimes allow their emotions to guide them, often lacking thorough analysis and failing to present both sides of the story before publishing or airing.
She also stressed the need for the media to improve its standards.
She explained that she used to trust social media content after confirming it in the press, but now she is less certain, as it appears the press may be sourcing its information from social media.
She also observed that “truth, facts, and science” faced general challenges, and much work was needed. Folasade reiterated her enthusiasm for the Centre’s initiative in fact-checking and related efforts.
At the University of Calabar, an associate professor at the Department of Mass Communication, Stanislaus Iyorzza, urged the students to take advantage of every opportunity to learn.
During his visit to the training session, Iyorzza said, “The programme has been rich, and the students have attested. I know with the establishment of the hub in this school, we are going to have the train-the-trainers.”
Facilitators at UNICAL include researcher and fact-checker at Africa Check and FactCheckhub, AllWell Opki, Nurudeen Kures, respectively, and social media management expert Esther Ilesanmi.
Some of the students interviewed said the seminar taught them not to be purveyors of false news and always to check sources of information obtained on social media and other platforms.
On October 30 and November 8, The ICIR reported a similar partnership and training at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Hassan Usman Polytechnic, Katsina State, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, Adamawa state, and Federal University of Kashere, Gombe state.
Reports on the partnerships are here and here.
Blessing Otoibhi is a Multimedia Journalist and Anchor host for the News in 60 seconds at The International Center For Investigative Reporting. You can shoot her a mail via Botoibhi@icirnigeria.org or connect on Twitter @B_otoibhi