In a bid to equip Edo journalists with essential digital skills, fact-checking tools, and enhanced capabilities in election reporting, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and Dubawa, with sponsorship from Google News Initiative, recently organized a groundbreaking training programme in Edo State.
The two-day training, which took place at the Edo Heritage Hotel in the state’s capital Benin City, brought together journalists from various media outlets within the state and its environs.
The training was aimed to address the evolving challenges faced by journalists in the digital age, including misinformation, disinformation, and the need for accurate reporting during elections.
One of the highlights of the training was the in-depth sessions understanding information disorder, its types, drivers and effects as well as steps and methodology of fact checking.
Also participants were exposed to cutting-edge techniques for digital verification. This segment was geared towards equipping them with the tools needed to verify images, and video files against altercation and fabrication as well as misleading contents.
Another crucial aspect of the training focused on fact-checking tools and techniques. With the proliferation of fake news and misleading information, journalists play a vital role in upholding the integrity of news and information.
The training also exposed journalists on ways to detect fake news, fact-check information, safety measures to be taken and be the drivers of adequate reporting of verifiable stories as Edo 2024 governorship election draws near.
There were several practical sessions to boost the capacity of the trained journalists, ranging from Google Pinpoint, Google Trends, Fact-Check Explorer, Data gif, Scamadviser, as well as Digital Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
Journalists who attended the training described it as impactful, knowledge-driven, professional, entertaining and informative. They commended the organisers for bringing such a training to Edo at this crucial time as the state heads into a very important election. It was an opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn.
The team of CJID and DUBAWA, led by the Director of Election Observer, Mboho Eno, Coordinator, Temilade Onilede, Silas Jonathan, and Lateef Oni, commended the participants for showing up for the training and described Edo journalists as the most professional and interactive journalists they have ever trained in Nigeria.
