In line with the commitment of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to train 1000 fact checkers from each of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, the Agency kick-started the Course-two capacity building on fact checking.
Speaking at the event, the Director General NOA, Garba Abari urged participants to be mindful of disinformation, misinformation and fake news which as the name implies is often intended to instigate hate, anger and acrimony amongst the people. Consequently, causing disaffection, division, violence and even war.
Goodwill messages were delivered at the training workshop with commendations to the NOA for organising the National Fact Checking Course. It is seen as a timely programme that will go a long way in helping to check the scourge of fake news, misinformation and disinformation.
Resource persons for this course two series were drawn from the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and DAFUDA, amongst others.
The aim of this course is to raise an Army of Patriots who would work towards curbing the menace of disinformation, misinformation, Hate Speech, Fake News and Cyber Crime for National Development.
Course two is to build-up on the previously concluded Course one with participants drawn from critical segment of the society.