By; SHARIFUDEEN IBRAHIM MUHAMMAD
In a bid to strengthen journalistic integrity and promote accountability in Nigeria, the European Union (EU) and the International Press Center (IPC) recently joined forces to equip journalists with the necessary tools to effectively utilize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and combat the spread of fake news.
The importance of journalists in holding government and corporate entities accountable cannot be overstated, especially in a democratic society like Nigeria where elections are pivotal moments for shaping the nation’s future.
Every four years, Nigerians go to the polls, inundated with promises from political candidates. Yet, it is the role of the media to track and scrutinize these promises, ensuring that those in power are held accountable for their actions.
Addressing this critical need, a two-day training session was organized at the Bafra International Hotel in Kaduna, bringing together 40 journalists from across the Northern States.
The theme of the training, “Credible Elections and Democratic Governance: Media Engagement on Using Fact-Checking and FOIA to Combat Information Disorder,” underscored the importance of media engagement in fostering transparent electoral processes and combating the dissemination of misleading information.
Mrs. Stella Nwafia, the Programme Manager of IPC, emphasized the primary objective of the training: to empower journalists to uphold truth, advocate for integrity, and safeguard democracy.
Central to this mission is promoting critical thinking, fact verification, and media literacy among journalists.
The EU-EOM final report on the 2023 Nigerian General Elections served as a guiding document for the training programme.
It highlighted the significant role played by new media platforms during the election campaigns and the subsequent oversight of the electoral process.
However, concerns were raised about the misuse of these platforms, both in terms of transparent campaigning and the propagation of misleading narratives.
During the training sessions, participants were exposed to practical methodologies for information verification and fact-checking, led by Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC.
Additionally, Dr. Fatimah V. Shuaibu from the Department of Mass Communication at Kaduna Polytechnic, addressed the gender dimension in combating information disorder, underscoring the importance of diverse perspectives in the media landscape.
Mr. Edetaen Ojo, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda, emphasized the pivotal role of the FOIA in investigative journalism, urging participants to leverage this legislative tool to hold government and corporate bodies accountable.
As journalists continue to navigate the complex terrain of information dissemination, the training provided by the EU and IPC serves as a beacon of hope for fostering a culture of transparency, integrity, and responsible journalism in Nigeria.
By equipping journalists with the necessary skills and knowledge, the fight against fake news and the promotion of accountability are propelled forward, ultimately strengthening democracy and ensuring a brighter future for all Nigerians.
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