By Felix Khanoba
Ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, renowned pro-democracy group, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has trained some select journalists on the use of tech system, Meedan Check Tool, to detect and counter disinformation.
Speaking at a Breakfast Meeting on Meedan Check Tool organised by CDD, in collaboration with National Democratic Institute, NDI, on Wednesday in Abuja, Acting Director of CDD, Dr Sa’eed Husaini, said the deployment of the tech tool became necessary to curtail misinformation and its possible adverse effects on the polls.
Husaini called on journalists and the public to leverage on the Meedan Check tool to fact-check and verify claims credited to major political actors and other influential individuals in the nation’s polity.
On his part, CDD Fact Checking Lead, Mr. Armsfree Ajanaku, said the effective use of the innovative tool would go a long way to checkmate disinformation in the country.
Ajanaku, who said the initiative is crucial following the commencement of political activities towards Edo and Ondo off-cycle elections, said journalists have a major role in countering disinformation.
“Our focus is on how to use an innovative tool, known as the Meedan Check to enhance our countering disinformation efforts.
” As journalists, and professionals with the responsibility to inform the public, we cannot underestimate the threat posed by mis/disinformation.
” Misinformation and disinformation work in scattered and disorganized ways to undermine robust participation in key activities, which are at the heart of the process of consolidating democracy. The scale of the challenge is massive, and no one stakeholder working alone can effectively address a challenge of this scale.
“Only yesterday, we saw how even official communication from the highest office in the land could result in the misinformation of citizens.
” There is a plethora of other instances, which make it imperative for us as journalists and information managers to be vigilant and circumspect when we share information.
” Disinformation and every other form of information disorder are capable of sparking chain reactions, which could either lead to break down of law and order or distrust in democratic institutions. Disinformation could be the reason voters stay away completely from casting their ballots in elections,” Ajanaku said.
The AUTHORITY reports that the training, which attracted over 20 journalists from the print, online and electronic media, witnessed presentations by Olatunji Raji and Aluko Ahmad that centred on election misinformation and disinformation, fact-checking methodologies and tools with practical examples.
Chioma Iruke also conducted a practical training session on how to utilise the Check by Meedan tool.
