In a dedicated endeavour to enhance journalistic standards across West Africa, the Google News Initiative (GNI) has partnered with DUBAWA, the reputable verification and fact-checking arm of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), to teach journalists digital fact-checking.
This collaborative effort is laser-focused on an extensive training program tailored specifically for journalists residing in non-urban communities in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia. The core objective of this partnership is to synergize DUBAWA’s longstanding commitment to nurturing a culture of truth in journalism with the digital expertise that GNI brings to the table.
With a goal of engaging at least 280 journalists across these three nations, the initiative will offer comprehensive training in digital verification, acquainting them with specialised Google tools and resources. Additionally, participants will benefit from two interactive, non-residential workshops in select regions, further bolstered by in-newsroom training sessions.
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Highlighting the significance and scope of this program, Caroline Anipah, the Deputy Director in charge of Verification and Media Literacy Practice, shared, “Often, such training programs are designed for journalists in urban centres, inadvertently neglecting those in non-urban communities. However, this partnership is different. At DUBAWA, we firmly believe that every journalist, especially those grappling with the challenges of misinformation, should be equipped with the necessary skills to effectively combat fake news and, above all, cultivate a well-informed citizenry. This is the essence of this project,” she expressed.
Vincent Ryan, EMEA Partnerships Manager at Google, highlighted the paramount importance of news verification and fact-checking in an age where information wields both power and peril. He affirmed, “Through our collaboration with DUBAWA, the Google News Initiative is wholeheartedly committed to empowering the journalistic community in West Africa with robust verification tools and strategies. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a future where every news piece is accurate and trustworthy.”
Akintunde Babatunde, Director of Programmes at CJID, extended his appreciation to the team at Google for the collaboration with DUBAWA. He said, “This new partnership has validated the terrific work happening at CJID/DUBAWA over the years. Our mandate has always been to positively disrupt the media landscape in West Africa, ensuring a vibrant and independent media society. With this support, which will further expand the horizons of our capacity-building initiatives, we are excited about the opportunity to empower journalists and fact-checkers in these countries.”
In a world where more than 70% of internet users globally have inadvertently encountered misinformation, initiatives like this assume monumental significance. For nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia, the foundation of reliable journalism serves not only as a source of credible information but also as a bastion of democracy, reinforcing the integrity of news and upholding the principles upon which informed societies are built.
About DUBAWA
DUBAWA is a transnational fact-checking and verification platform initiated by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) to address information disorder, primarily misinformation and disinformation, through expert-identified multi-pronged approaches. Launched in 2018 by the Centre and operating in five anglophone West African countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and The Gambia), DUBAWA aims to advance truth and accuracy in reporting, instil a culture of verification among journalists, elected and public officials, and citizens, and promote technology use in journalism.
About the Google News Initiative (GNI)
The GNI represents Google’s comprehensive effort to consolidate its products, partnerships, and programs, all aimed at ensuring the flourishing of journalism in the digital age. The initiative concentrates on three pivotal objectives: elevating information standards while combating misinformation, innovating business models to support quality journalism beyond advertising, and enabling news organisations to effectively harness new technologies, including AI, to meet their evolving needs.