The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), through its Media in National Elections Project (MiNE) and in collaboration with DUBAWA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has executed a two-day training focused on Media Information Literacy (MIL) and fact-checking for INEC personnel.
This program aims to enhance the understanding of information dissemination among INEC officials as well as to tackle the mounting concerns of misinformation and disinformation witnessed during electoral processes.
The sessions took place in Abuja, gathering 25 staff members from INEC along with representatives from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in preparation for the Area Council election scheduled for February 21.
An opening remark was delivered by the administrative secretary, who stood in for the FCT Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) at INEC. She highlighted INEC's dedication to ensuring electoral integrity, especially in an era where digital information predominates.
She remarked, "In today’s digital age, the media landscape, particularly social and online platforms, wields significant influence over public perceptions during elections. While these platforms provide opportunities for transparency and voter education, they also pose serious challenges when misused."
She cautioned that the spread of false and misleading information online could compromise electoral authenticity, jeopardize security, and erode the public's trust if not adequately addressed. She emphasized that INEC's duties extend beyond merely managing the logistics of elections.
"As we gear up for the forthcoming electoral activities, including the FCT Area Council elections, it is essential that we also safeguard the information landscape surrounding elections. Factual information must triumph over falsehood,"
She encouraged the participants to actively engage in the training and apply their newly acquired knowledge to enhance institutional communication and support credible elections.
Also giving remarks, Akintunde Babatunde, the executive director of CJID, noted that INEC is among Nigeria’s key democratic institutions yet heavily affected by public skepticism fueled by misinformation. He stated that Media Information Literacy is vital for INEC and its affiliates to understand that disinformation is a significant challenge that requires a collaborative approach to address.
“This training is not about assigning blame. It's about partnership, aligning INEC’s framework with CJID’s technical expertise to uphold electoral integrity and support election officials,” Akintunde mentioned.
He added that CJID has executed similar projects across 13 African nations, partnering with electoral management bodies to combat the increasing impact of digital disinformation.
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) is a media technology organization operating in 13 African countries, established in 2014 as a Nigerian non-governmental organization. CJID leads in investigative journalism, innovation, the promotion of journalist safety and welfare, electoral processes, and the freedom of information and expression.
The Media in National Elections (MiNE) project of CJID is dedicated to enhancing accountability in electoral processes through a comprehensive approach that unites civil society groups, electoral management bodies, and advocacy organizations.
DUBAWA represents CJID’s verification and fact-checking initiative, which aims to foster a culture of truth and verification in public discourse through collaborations with media, governmental bodies, civil society, tech companies, and the public.
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