Kingsley Aumona
There is increasing need for holistic campaign and mass literacy against misinformation, disinformation and fake news in the country, Centre for Applied Ethics and Political Communication in Africa has said.
The view was expressed recently at a stakeholders meeting organised in commemoration of the UNESCO 2021 Media and Information Literacy Week with the theme, ‘Media and information literacy for the public good.’
The Programme Coordinator of the Centre, John Adabara, said that media literacy remained core to CAEPOCOM AFRICA, adding that training for both governmental and non-governmental organisations on issues regarding media and information management, was a priority.
“Media and information literacy is a platform to educate the general public to understand the nature and the appropriate use of the media to dissect and make meaning of the information they consume.
“It is also an avenue to create awareness of the latest trends in social media platforms and how to navigate the media with the right set of skills,” Adabara said.
The Oyo State Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Akintayo Olamide, stated that media literacy was essential as a panacea for sustainable national development and social stability, saying, “Only an informed public is a free public. I look forward to an even greater working relationship across boards in service to God and humanity.”
While delivering a lecture titled, ‘Misinformation, disinformation and fact-checking: Should you be bothered?’ Zainab Sanni, a broadcast journalist with Agidigbo FM, Ibadan, and Guest Speaker on the occasion, presented photographs and video clips that encapsulated fake news in Nigeria, and the result of such news.
According to her, media literacy has to do with information management; the way people create, consume and react to information the right way.
She added that people create, spread and profit from fake news in order to push certain agenda; they want to malign other people’s reputation, win election or trend on social media.
“Fake news travels far and wide, and they have far-reaching impacts and consequences. We are all targets of fake news. Information can make and mar us, therefore, we should verify news contents before we share them,” Sanni said.
She stated that to checkmate misinformation and fake news, one should be probing about sources authenticity of news contents, especially the sensational ones. One should also verify news contents from other trusted media sources; among others.
She stressed further that good journalism cost money, and that the involvement of everyone in combating misinformation and fake news was not an option.
“Fake news spreads fast because we all share it, and the next target could be you. Stakeholders should be proactive in informing people, especially those at the grassroots, about the dangers and consequences of fake news,” Sanni said.
Dr Sharon Omotoso, the Executive Director of CAEPOCOM AFRICA, lamented that many people yielded themselves as agents of media illiteracy, and that the religious institutions were not left out.
She recommended that media literacy should be taken to religious centres, schools and markets, adding, “Anybody, irrespective of their status, can peddle or spread fake news. We should teach our people to crosscheck news contents before they share them.”
Dr Kayode Somoye, a consultant with CAEPOCOM AFRICA, advocated a hastened consciousness of the public as regards fake news, noting that many people were battling depression and hypertension as a result of fake news.
He recommended public enlightenment campaign to help people to be analytical and sensitive to what the information being circulated.
Somoye said, “People don’t believe anything anymore, and it’s not good for our system. The government should invest in counter misinformation and disinformation, just the way they invest in counter terrorism. We need to create a system that can insulate the public from fake news.”
Isiaka, who represented National Orientation Agency in Oyo State, said, “I am elated to know that we are partnering with the organisation behind this event in promoting an enabling attitude and awareness for African development. I believe we will leave here as better informed people.”
