Lukman Abdulmalik
Dubawa, a section under the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has trained some selected journalists on digital verification and fact-checking in Kano.
The training which was held from 8th to 9th February at Porto Golf Hotel in Bompai gathered 20 journalists from different media organizations in the state.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director, Dubawa, Caroline Anipah said the training was a capacity-building innovation to teach journalists how to verify facts as a means to address information disorder.
Anipah disclosed that currently, Dubawa’s digital verification and fact-checking project is in five West African Countries, which include; Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria.
She urged participants to exhibit and practice what they learned while discharging their duties as professional journalists.
Lois Ugbede, a researcher with Dubawa Nigeria took participants through the information disorder ecosystem.
In her presentation, she explained that “an information ecosystem is the information environment in which individuals and communities interact both online and offline,” adding that manipulation of information is not new.
“Rumors, lies, and propaganda have been used to mislead, destabilize the government, and influence decisions.
“While the impact of technology and digitalization has improved interactivity, information and dissemination.”
Other parts of her training were the practical aspect of how to use digital verification tools to tackle information disorder.
Kemi Busari, Editor at Dubawa Nigeria rolled with participants through fact-checking; practice, methodology, and ethics.
Dubawa is guided by firm principles of accountability, truth, and collaboration; by creating a community for citizens to report and question the information posited by the media, the government, and influential people.
