Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has urged INEC to collaborate with the media to curb misinformation in the media space as it poses a major threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Tobi Oluwatola, Executive Director (CJID) at a conference of the Nigeria fact-checkers coalition in Abuja yesterday, said authoritarian actors in the forthcoming elections might weaponize misinformation to instigate fear and violence, hence the need to prioritize fact-checking in the media space.
“The media needs to keep the public well enlightened and informed. Fact-checking should be done before dissemination of any information as most of these instigators of false news aim to instigate fear, violence, voters’ apathy, discredit candidates and the outcome of what might be a free and fair election,” he said.
In a remark, INEC Chairman, Mohammed Yakubu, represented by Esther Chibuikam, said the free and fair election could not be guaranteed by INEC alone, hence other players must put their hands on deck
“INEC is working seriously to ensure a hitch-free election, however, the responsibility is not just on us. All hands must be on deck; the security agencies, the public, and the media must work together for a free and fair election in 2023,” he explained.
Also speaking, Dayo Olaide, Deputy Director, MacArthur Foundation, also stressed the need to implement sanctions, especially against politicians and political parties notorious for weaponizing misinformation for election purposes.
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