The Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) has trained journalists, human rights defenders, media professionals, and content creators on digital literacy to enhance the accuracy and reliability of information in the face of misinformation and disinformation.
The training, held in Lagos, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting media literacy, fact-checking, and critical thinking skills to tackle misinformation and disinformation. Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of CEMESO, stressed the need for a collective responsibility to safeguard truth, protect democracy, and combat misinformation.
Timothy Bamidele, Programme Manager at CEMESO, highlighted the importance of digital literacy in protecting oneself and others from vulnerable information. He emphasized the need for reliable information, not only for democracy but also for human well-being.
The training included a test on the vulnerability of journalists in the digital space, which showed that 95% of journalists are vulnerable. Facilitators advised journalists to reboot their phones regularly, change passwords frequently, and avoid sharing personal information online.
Participants learned the importance of protecting their digital footprint, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, encrypting sensitive data, and staying informed about digital threats and best practices.
The training aimed to empower actors to become ambassadors of information hygiene, promoting fact-checking and digital literacy to combat misinformation and disinformation.
