US Government Reiterates Support For Free Press In Nigeria

By Hassan Umar Shallpella

The United States government has reiterated its determination to continue to support a free Press in Nigeria.

Already, Journalists, Media Professionals, Content-Creators and Activists from five pilot States to include Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and Abuja were trained on Countering Misinformation which was supported by the Embassy of the United States, Abuja-Nigeria Public Affairs Section and facilitated by Mythos Labs in collaboration with Gray Child Foundation.

Addressing Adamawa State participants through Zoom, Madam Aisha Gambari of the Embassy of the United States, Abuja Public Affairs Section disclosed this Thursday during training of held at City Green Hotel, Yola.

Madam Aisha Gambari charged the participants to utilize the knowledge acquired and put to positive use so as to stem the spread of fake news in the society.

Also in his message through Zoom, the Chief Executive Officer, of Mythos Labs Priyank Mathur said the training is to equip the participants with tools on how to identify, investigate, and counter online Reports on disinformation and misinformation.

Earlier, the National Coordinator Activating Positive Peace, Rotarian Pietro Uzochukwu explained that the training is to enhance the professionals’ capacity of Journalists to be able to detect misinformation and correct it.

Rotarian Uzochukwu noted that information sector is critical is building sustainability of peace in Nige, hence the training of professionals to make sure media space are sanitize from fake news.

In his presentation, Rotarian Abraham Anthony taught participants on how to identify fake and factual news through various web links so that they can easily counter misinformation and disinformation in their reportage.

Also in his presentation, Rotarian Yusuf Nadabo said Journalists should desist from rushing of posting unverified stories in the name of breaking news but should endeavor to fact checks sources of information to counter misinformation and disinformation spread mostly by online media.