Mr Ike Okere, a communication expert, has asked that the study of media literacy should be included in the nation’s school curriculum.
Speaking at a one-day free certificate training on fact-checking and countering misinformation, Mr Okere admonished journalists and media organizations to work on developing fact-checking sites in order to constantly share credible and verifiable information that will assist to maintain the stability of society.
He also stated that fake news grows because of the gullibility and laziness of people to check beyond the surface, urging people to maintain a healthy scepticism, since according to him, even photos and videos are being manipulated for sinister motives.
Mr Okere pointed out ways to stop fake news by considering the source, checking the author, date, biases, reading beyond headlines, as well as consulting fact-checking sites.
The event which took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka was organised by the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy, WABMA, in collaboration with the Enugu Literary Society, ELS, with WHAIafrica as Anambra Coordinator of Project Fact Check Nigeria, Also in attendance were journalists from different media organizations.
