FactCheck Africa, a journalism project of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), has begun a month-long Fact-Checking Training and Digital Rights Youth Conference across some selected universities in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, starting with the Kwara State University, Malete (KWASU) in North Central region. Dr. (Mrs) Monsurat Wonuola, Department of Mass Communication, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin; to Dr. Patrick Udende, Department of Mass Communication University of Ilorin and Radio Nigeria were panelists at the conference. FactCheck Africa is a platform created by BBYDI, funded by United Nation Embassy and supported by BECERA to tackle false information around issues in Government, Elections, Climate, Conflicts and more, through timely, rigorous and accurate fact-checking. There’s a pressing need to tackle disinformation as the distinction between facts and fiction becomes increasingly blurred. According to Habeeb, he achieved a lot by learning from the best in the field and academics regarding information pollution, ways to combat it and digital rights nitty-gritty.

Source: Nigerian Tribune February 10, 2024 00:02 UTC