By Hassan Umar
Disturbed by the havoc caused on society by social media influencers through the dissemination of misinformation and disinformation, the Embassy of the United States, Abuja-Nigeria Public Affairs Section has supported the training of journalists, Media Professionals, Content-Creators and Activists on Countering Misinformation.
The five pilot States and Abuja selected for the training which was facilitated by Mythos Labs in collaboration with Gray Child Foundation include Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa.
Addressing Adamawa State participants through Zoom, Madam Aisha Gambari of the Embassy of the United States, Abuja Public Affairs Section reiterated the determination of the United States government to continue to support a free Press in Nigeria.
“We wish all the participants a great time and hope the knowledge acquired here will be put to positive use to stem the spread of fake news in our society,” she said.
Also in his message through Zoom, the Chief Executive Officer, of Mythos Labs Priyank Mathur said the training is to equip the participants with tools on how to identify, investigate, and counter online Reports on disinformation and misinformation.
Earlier, the National Coordinator Activating Positive Peace, Rotarian Pietro Uzochukwu explained that the training is to enhance the professionals’ capacity of Journalists to be able to detect misinformation and correct it.
Rotarian Uzochukwu noted that the information sector is critical in building sustainability of peace in Nige, hence the training of professionals to make sure media space is sanitized from fake news.
Rotarian Abraham Anthony in his presentation educates the participants on how to identify fake and factual news through various web links so that they can easily counter misinformation and disinformation in their reportage.
Also in his presentation, Rotarian Yusuf Nadabo said Journalists should desist from rushing of posting unverified stories in the name of breaking news but should endeavor to fact checks sources of information to counter misinformation and disinformation spread mostly by online media.
