Fake news, disinformation threatening elections in Nigeria

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern about the proliferation of fake news and misinformation in the run-up to the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa governorship elections scheduled for November 16, 2023.

During a capacity-building workshop for members of the INEC Press Corps, INEC National Commissioner Prof. Kunle Ajayi highlighted the detrimental impact of fake news, hate speech, and misinformation during the 2023 general elections.

He emphasised that disinformation is being used to provoke religious and tribal sentiments, further dividing the nation.

Ajayi noted that election-related disinformation has emerged as a significant strategy employed by certain individuals and groups in the political sphere to manipulate public opinion for their own advantage.

This tactic poses a threat to the peace, stability, and fairness of the electoral process and the nation as a whole.

“The commission’s distasteful experience with fake news in the 2023 general elections has shown that, if not nipped in the bud, fake news can become the bane of election management in Nigeria,” Ajayi said.

“The alarming prevalence of misinformation, ‘fake news’, hate speech, and the weaponization of disinformation has become very worrisome to the commission.

“Disinformation is used to provoke religious, political, and tribal sentiments in an already polarised society such as ours, especially during election season, which is often the leading cause of electoral violence and uprisings.”

Ajayi urged the media to play its role in combating fake news and misinformation by fact-checking information and reporting accurately and impartially.

Team Leader for Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), Rudolf Elbling, also stressed the importance of the media in ensuring a free and fair electoral process.

“The media is an essential part of any democracy,” Elbling said. “A democratic election without the media is impossible, as they act as a crucial watchdog for democratic elections, safeguarding the transparency of the process.”

Elbling added that to fulfil their roles, journalists need to maintain a high level of professionalism, accuracy, and impartiality in their coverage.

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