ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The International Press Centre (IPC), has frowned at the increase in the spread fake news in the electoral process, as the 2023 general elections is around the corner.
The center, recalling the damages caused by spread of fake news in 2019 elections, noted that if appropriate measures are not taken, fake news has the potency to also destroy the 2023 elections.
This was contained in a press release, signed by Olutoyin Ayoade Communications Officer Component 4 (Support to Media) EUSDGN II Project, and obtained by voiceofnaija.ng on Thursday.
The statement reads in part: “If the spread of fake news in the electoral process is left unchecked it could deny the voters the opportunity to make informed choices at the polls while it may also induce hate speech and electoral violence.
“As observed during the Nigeria 2019 elections, fake news can be potentially weaponized, if appropriate measures are not properly established to tackle it.”
Following this, experts from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the media and the civil society will on Saturday 10 December, 2022, assemble in Abuja to brainstorm on the challenge of disinformation and misinformation.
The interface between the INEC and other stakeholders on flashpoints of electoral disinformation and misinformation ahead of the 2023 Elections is being organized by the IPC, the lead partner of component 4 (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project.
The meeting is to be chaired by Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Chairman of the Editorial Board of Premium Times and Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
Also, the interface at which Festus Okoye, INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education will give the key note address, is expected to outline measures for curbing fake news in the electoral process.
At least 40 stakeholders including editors, correspondents, CSO representatives, the INEC Director of Voter Education, Mr. Ayo Aluko, and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi are expected at the interface.
The specific objective of the EU funded media component is to ensure that: “The Media, including New and Social Media, provides fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of the Electoral Process”.