By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Journalists in Benue State have been urged to uphold ethical reporting standards, prioritise fact-checking, and ensure accuracy in their work to curb the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the media space.The call was made during a two-day capacity-building workshop organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa for media practitioners in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. The training brought together journalists from across the state to strengthen professional practices in reporting and information verification.Speaking at the workshop, the Team Leader of CDD West Africa, Mr Raji Olatunji, stressed the importance of ethical journalism and rigorous fact-checking as essential tools for maintaining public trust and preventing the dissemination of false or misleading information.Olatunji explained that the workshop formed part of a broader intervention programme aimed at strengthening information literacy and promoting social cohesion across four states—Benue, Plateau, Katsina, and Kaduna.
“It is better to admit when you do not know something than to spread falsehood,” Olatunji said. “Journalists must consult multiple credible sources and verify claims before publication to avoid spreading fake news.” He noted that journalists were deliberately prioritised for the training because of their influential role in shaping public opinion and the wider information ecosystem, particularly at a time when misinformation and disinformation are increasingly prevalent.According to him, strengthening journalists’ capacity in fact-checking, ethical reporting standards, and verification techniques is critical to ensuring responsible information dissemination and sustaining democratic values.
Olatunji added that journalists are expected to serve as gatekeepers of truth and must therefore be better equipped with the skills required to scrutinise information, assess sources, and verify claims before making them public.The workshop also examined various forms of information manipulation, including misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, highlighting how each can negatively affect public perception, social cohesion, and democratic processes.Participants were taken through practical sessions on fact-checking processes, digital verification tools, and methods for identifying false narratives, manipulated images, and misleading online content.
CDD facilitators emphasised that ethical journalism goes beyond speed and exclusivity, stressing that accuracy, balance, and responsibility must always take precedence in news reporting.The training further underscored the need for journalists to adhere strictly to professional codes of conduct, especially in conflict-sensitive and politically charged reporting environments.
Participants commended the initiative, describing it as timely and relevant in an era where social media and unverified online content increasingly challenge traditional journalism.They also called for sustained engagement and continuous professional development programmes to help journalists adapt to emerging trends in media practice and information warfare.The CDD West Africa initiative is part of ongoing efforts to support democratic governance, strengthen media accountability, and promote peaceful coexistence through responsible information management across Nigeria.
