Femi Oyelola, Kaduna.
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has started a one-month community sensitization outreach on fact-checking misinformation in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru and Makera in Kaduna South LGAs of Kaduna state.
This was contained in a statement, signed by the Executive Director of the Foundation, Sekyen Dadik and made available to journalists on 16th February 2024.
The statement stated that the Project seeks to raise awareness on the prevalence and impact of mis/disinformation in the project communities, and will also sensitize and build the capacity of over 400 participants in fact-checking methodologies, seeing as it affects all aspects the society, impacting all persons and sectors of human endeavour.
The Foundation: “It can also bring disrepute to persons and institutions, cause conflicts and clashes or escalate them. Thus, polarizing people and communities, impacting economies adversely and stagnates growth.
“If not curtailed, the spread of false or misleading information can sow discord, cause division and disunity, promote confusion and uncertainty, and consequently inspire wrong decisions.
“In rural or suburban communities where there are few smartphones and internet access is low, misinformation has a greater efficacy. It is generally more readily believable because of low access to alternative narratives, spread by word of mouth and by persons who are known.
“Therefore, the Project aims to reach community individuals with particular focus on the older generation, People Living with Disabilities and women, considering how unverified information could easily pass as the truth within such groups.”
It adds: “The one month project will involve advocacy to community leaders, sensitization outreaches to the target groups to engage them on simple steps to check, verify and confirm information received before passing it on.
“It is believed that at the end of the project, participants will be able to verify information and curtail the spread of false or unverified information thereby building informed and empowered communities.
“The community sensitization on fact-checking misinformation being implemented by Africa Media Development Foundation is a project under the Fact Check Africa Program of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative and funded by the United States of America Department of State and supported by BECERA.”
