By Eunice Afolabi |
The scourge of misinformation and disinformation and how it can be curbed ahead of the nation’s 2023 general elections was the discourse at The Nigerian Fact-checkers Coalition conference on Tuesday, in Abuja,
The conference, tagged ‘Curbing Misinformation Disorder’ had in attendance officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders.
The Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Dayo Aiyetan, and Tobi Oluwatola of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in their opening remarks stressed the need for more sensitisation of relevant groups as the polls approach, hoping that the conference would proffer solutions to stop the spread of fake news before, during and after the elections.
“We know that there will be frequent disinformation this year and that’s why we must work together,” Mr. Aiyetan said. “Politicians and their aides will be weaponizing information deliberately.”
He said“On our part, we are going to be up and doing. But, fighting fake news and misinformation, it’s not the job of the media alone. We are ready to work with INEC, and others to fight misinformation before, during, and after the election.”
While giving his keynote speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Umaru Pate, noted the challenges that could bedevil the upcoming polls.
Umaru explained that the success of the polls will depend on how all key stakeholder groups play their parts ahead of the election.
He noted that fake news thrives as a result of the attitude of stakeholders, the desperation of politicians, and the inability of institutions involved in the process to enforce the law just as many state-owned media jettison broadcasting and professional ethics.
“There is also the mindset about power and politics, the role of the state in society, ethnicity, religion, and political success”
“Many media professionals masquerade with subjective political biases and in some cases engage in naked libelous publications.” and politics, the role of the state on society, ethnicity, religion, and political succession,”
Mr. Pate said. “Many media professionals masquerade with subjective political biases and in some cases engage in naked libelous publications.”
“Election times are exciting times that are characterized by high competitive spirits, variety of exchanges, high volume and velocity of information flow, and much more.”
“The political economy of current information management and dissemination climate in the country will significantly feature and affect the pattern of election info dissemination.”
“People depend largely on the media to create images, form opinions, and quite often, get guidance on issues and candidates in the electoral process. And that’s why the media must live up to expectations in providing informed explanations on issues at stake.”
The vice chancellor further added that “The high prevalence of misuse of digital, online, and social media has intensified to the extent that channels of the conventional media are deeply involved, too.
“They manifest in the spread of fake news, offensive speech, and provocation of conflicts and crises.”
Going forward, he recommended the establishment and promotion of fact-checking desks in media houses, strict adherence to professional and ethical codes, and professionalism of the media, civil society groups, and agencies involved with elections.
“The media should be more confident in investigating politicians, fulfillment of promises by incumbents, and strengthening of critical units like the police, INEC, and other agencies.”
“The political parties will be the principal beneficiaries of voter turnout, therefore, we are calling on them to sell (their plans) to the citizens positively, so that the citizens will be convinced to know that their votes will count.”
The coalition includes the ICIR, Dubawa, Africa Check, FactMattersNG, Insight, FactCheckHub, Cable, and Daily Trust.
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