280 Journalists for Training on Digital Verification, Fact Checking

Dubawa, a verification and fact-checking arm of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in partnership with Google News Initiative (GNI) is set to train 280 journalists selected across newsroom in West Africa.

A statement by CJID’s Communications Manager and Editor, Hillary Nwoziri, noted that the partnership would focus on an extensive training programme specially designed for journalists in non-urban communities of Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia.

Nwoziri said: “This collaboration aims to harness the long standing efforts of DUBAWA in promoting a culture of truth in journalism and complement it with the digital expertise that GNI brings to the table.

“Aiming to engage a minimum of 280 journalists across the three countries, the initiative will provide in-depth training in digital verification and familiarise them with specialised Google tools and resources.

“Participants will also benefit from two interactive, non-residential workshops in selected regions, supplemented by in-newsroom training sessions.”

The Deputy Director, Verification and Media l
Literacy Practice, Caroline Anipah, who spoke on the significance and scope of the programme said: “Often, such training programmes are designed for journalists in city centres, neglecting those in non-urban communities. However, this partnership is different.

“At Dubawa, we believe every journalist, especially those confronted with challenges of misinformation, should be equipped with the necessary skills to counter fake news effectively and, above all, to foster a well-informed citizenry. This is the essence of this project”

Also, EMEA Partnerships Manager at Google, Vincent Ryan said: “In an era where information is both a tool and a weapon, news verification and fact-checking have never been more paramount.

“Through our collaboration with Dubawa, the Google News Initiative is deeply committed to fortifying the journalistic community in West Africa with robust verification tools and strategies.”

CJID’s Director of Programmes, Akintunde Babatunde, extended his appreciation to the team at Google for the collaboration with DUBAWA.

He said: “This new partnership has validated the terrific work happening at CJID/Dubawa over the years.

“Our mandate has always been to positively disrupt the media ecosystem in West Africa to ensure a vibrant and independent media society.”