CDD trains 90 Journalists in Benue on fact-checking, ethical reporting

By Benedicta Aboh

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for journalists in Benue State, focusing on fact-checking, verification techniques and ethical reporting standards, as part of efforts to combat disinformation and strengthen social cohesion.

The training, held in Makurdi, is part of a broader intervention titled “Strengthening Information Literacy and Social Cohesion,” currently being implemented across four states, Benue, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.

Speaking at the event, a Programme Staff of CDD West Africa, Mr. Rahi Olatunji, said the organisation considered journalists critical stakeholders in the information ecosystem, particularly at a time when disinformation poses serious threats to peace and stability.

“What has happened today is basically a training for journalists in Benue State on fact-checking, verification techniques and ethical reporting standards. This is part of an intervention known as Strengthening Information Literacy and Social Cohesion,” Olatunji said.

He explained that the two-day programme is designed to train 90 journalists, with 45 participants attending each day, to ensure effective engagement and learning.

“As part of the implementation of this intervention, we decided to train journalists because we believe their work in the information ecosystem is very crucial, especially in this age of disinformation,” he added.

Olatunji noted that the decision to prioritise media practitioners followed a community baseline assessment study conducted by CDD in selected local government areas of Benue State to understand how residents access and trust information.

“Before this training, we carried out a community baseline assessment study in three local governments in Benue State to understand the information ecosystem down to the grassroots. We discovered that the media is one of the most trusted sources of information for the people,” he explained.

According to him, the training aims to equip journalists with skills that will help prevent the spread of false information capable of inflaming tensions, especially in Northern Nigeria, where insecurity and communal crises have often been worsened by misinformation.

“If you look at the trend of events in Nigeria, especially in Northern Nigeria, you will see how disinformation has been deployed to cause chaos. That is why strengthening the capacity of journalists on fact-checking and ethical reporting is very important,” Olatunji said.

He expressed optimism that the training would encourage journalists to exercise greater caution in their reporting.

“Going forward, we expect journalists to take precautions in carrying out their jobs. Before releasing any report, all claims should be verified so that they are not used, knowingly or unknowingly, by disinformation actors to cause chaos,” he stated.

The training forms part of CDD’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible journalism and enhance social cohesion through accurate and ethical information dissemination.