In a recent capacity-building workshop in Abuja, journalists were called upon to exercise diligence, hone their fact-checking skills, and refrain from disseminating false or misleading narratives that could incite turmoil during their professional duties.
The two-day workshop, focused on utilizing iVerify and fact-checking, was organized by the International Press Centre, based in Lagos, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Participants included journalists from print, broadcast, and online media outlets operating in Kogi state.
Mr. Tayo Obe, Director of Journalism Clinic, underscored the importance of being vigilant and questioning information, emphasizing the substantial responsibility that comes with being a journalist. He cautioned against the perils of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, urging journalists to prioritize accuracy when processing the information they encounter in the field. Additionally, Obe encouraged participants to explore the various opportunities in the ever-evolving media landscape to ethically enhance their earnings.
In a keynote address, Mathew Alao, an official from UNDP, highlighted the sacrifices required in journalism and stressed the importance of discernment and thoroughness in uncovering the truth. He called on journalists to focus on reporting that fosters peace, unity, and development, rather than content that could potentially harm society.
David Ajikobi, Editor of AfricaCheck, discussed the significance of fact-checking claims and provided insights into using various tools for this purpose. Ajikobi encouraged journalists to scrutinize statements made by political figures in the lead-up to, during, and after the upcoming November 11th gubernatorial election.
Other workshop speakers, including Mr. Lanre Arogundade of IPC and Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasized the need for media professionals to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in their reporting on elections.
