Ahead of the November 16 Ondo State governorship bye-elections, media and civil society experts are urging journalists to play a pivotal role in combating misinformation and ensuring credible coverage.
This call was made during a webinar titled “Misinformation and Elections: Journalists, Public Educators, and Opinion Shapers,” organized by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) in collaboration with the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU SDGN) II.
The Executive Director of CAPPA, Akinbode Oluwafemi, highlighted the media’s responsibility in reporting facts accurately, especially in the current era of fake news. He emphasized that journalists must promote peace through their reports, adding, “The populace will rely on the media for direction, news, and perception; it’s our duty as media practitioners to report the facts.”
Oluwafemi also stressed the importance of journalists’ safety during the elections.
Ms Joke Kujenya, Executive of the Media Mentors Journalism Centre, focused on the distinction between misinformation and disinformation, underscoring the need for journalists to verify information before publication. She encouraged collaboration with fact-checking organizations and urged journalists to monitor social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp for false narratives.
The Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade reminded participants that 18 political parties had signed a peace accord in Ondo State. Despite the deployment of 41,000 security personnel, he urged journalists to remain vigilant about their own safety and to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting practices.
The webinar emphasized the critical role of journalists in fostering media literacy among the public, promoting nonviolent elections, and countering fake news.
Participants were encouraged to utilize tools like I-Verify to fact-check their reports and prevent the spread of misinformation.
CAPPA, a Pan-African organization, continues to advocate for human rights, challenge corporate exploitation, and promote participatory governance in Africa. The webinar serves as part of its broader initiative to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria.
