In a bid to promote information literacy and the fact-check culture in Nigeria, the Media for Information Literacy Project in partnership with the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund, Leap Africa and the Nigeria Union of Journalist organized a three-day boot-camp to educate and engage young and aspiring journalists on the principles of journalism, dangers of fake news, fact-checking, and research.
According to the Project Lead and Convener, Temiloluwa Oyeniyi, the boot-camp aims to foster responsible media, strengthen democratic values, as well as to improve the capacity of media organizations (and media personnel), and influence existing media regulations in Ibadan, Oyo State.
She stated that the event was organized for 50 participants, cutting across Broadcasting, Prints, Investigative Journalism, Research, Photo -Journalism, Fact-checking and Content Creation, to educate them on the fundamentals and rules guiding news writing, and dissemination of information, as well as to equip them with the fact-checking skills and toolkits.
During the opening ceremony held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre Iyaganku Ibadan a Veteran Journalist who also doubles as the Former Ambassador to Philippine, Yemi Farounbi gave a keynote lecture on “Journalism in Nigeria; the Past, the Present and the Future,’ where he addressed the participants on the essence of journalism and how it shaped the society- what it used to be when he was a journalism and what it is now.
He urged participants to equip themselves with the basic knowledge and skills to practice effective journalism, as well as to embrace credibility, value and integrity in their various activities to inform and educate the masses.
In his lecture titled “The Role of the NUJ in Curbing Misinformation and Disinformation,” the NUJ Vice Chairman Oyo State Council Comrade Seye Ojo explained the role of the NUJ, giving relevant instances of activities carried out by the body to ensure the safety and wellbeing of journalists in the state. He also mentioned the regulations implemented by the body to guide the conducts and behaviours of journalists.
Comrade Ojo however urged participants to maintain neutrality when gathering news stories, as well as not to pursue stories at the detriment of their lives, and be vigilant in their venture to uncover truths.
He also requested that participants be part of the NUJ towards promoting the freedom and rights of the Press.
In their separate remarks, on-air personalities and investigative journalists such as Afouda Samuel, Ighoruemuse Loveth (Big Love), and Adejumo Kabir stated their experiences as media personalities, exposed participants to the role of traditional media in curtailing fake-news, and the step-by-step guide to becoming investigative journalists.
The opening ceremony also featured the launch and endorsement of the Media for Information Literacy Brochure tagged “Code of Practice,” which according to the Project Lead is a publication that aims to guide young journalists and media organizations in Nigeria in their pursuits to inform, educate and entertain the public. She mentioned that the brochure will be distributed to the participants, including media practitioners and outfits for free to guide their affairs.