As part of efforts to combat misinformation, the International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) is partnering with five top digital influencers and fact checking organisations and newsrooms in Nigeria.
The project lead and ICFJ Knight Fellow, Hannah Ajakaiye, on Friday announced that the top digital influencers working on the project are investigative journalist, Fisayo Soyombo; social justice advocate, Mr Segun Awosanya (segalink); human right activist, Barr. Abdul Mahmud; Founder/CEO of Connected Development (CODE), Hamzat Lawal; and popular health influencer, Dr Fidelis Egemba (Aproko doctor).
Ajakaiye also revealed the fact-checking organisations and media outfits working on the project to include Africa Check, The Cable Newspapers, Dubawa (Premium Times Investigative Journalism Centre (PTCIJ), and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).
She said the partnership which is sponsored by ICFJ will amplify the reach of credible information by sharing fact-checks about COVID-19 and other critical issues published by media partners on social media platforms, adding that the collaboration will mitigate the virus of misinformation through multi-levelled approaches and methods.
Ajakaiye said: “Recent research shows that African audiences have low levels of trust in the media and are exposed to a high degree of misinformation and – often knowingly – contribute to its spread.
“With social media multiplying the risks of misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and hoaxes; we believe our collaboration with these leading influencers is a timely intervention that can help restore the diminishing level of trust in Nigeria’s local media whilst also reducing exposure to misinformation.”
Jerri Eddings, director of the ICFJ Knight Fellowship Programme, said the project is an opportunity for digital influencers to become verifiable sources of credible information to their online followers, adding that it would also empower citizens by providing them with accurate information to enable them to make informed decisions.
“ICFJ has worked for 35 years to empower journalists and media organizations to produce high-quality content that has positive impacts on their communities. We’re excited about this new project to work with journalists and social media influencers in Nigeria to combat misinformation, especially during this time when we are facing such a deadly global health challenge in COVID-19,” Eddings added.
• This report was first published by Media Career Development Network.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FROM I-79 MEDIA
Apply for Africa-China environmental journalism training workshop
DEADLINE: AUGUST 20, 2020 ― The Africa-China Reporting Project (the Project) at Wits Journalism is inviting journalists with interests or experience in environmental journalism to submit proposals for an Online Environmental Journalism Training Workshop. APPLY HERE
VACANCY: Investigative journalists needed in Lagos
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 ― A Lagos-based outfit is looking to engage the services of five investigative journalists for a long-term media project. APPLY HERE
Apply for the African Fact-Checking Awards
DEADLINE: AUGUST 22, 2020 ― Interested applicants can now apply for the 2020 edition of the annual African Fact-Checking Awards. APPLY HERE
Online health misinformation workshop for Nigerian students
DEADLINE: AUGUST 24, 2020 ― Nigerian students can apply for an online health misinformation workshop. APPLY HERE
Applications open for WSCIJ COVID-19 Reality Check Project
DEADLINE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020 ― The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) is inviting Nigerian full-time and freelance journalists to submit their story pitches for consideration for funding as part of the organisation’s COVID-19 Reality Check Project supported by the MacArthur Foundation. APPLY HERE
Apply for Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship
DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2020 ― Applications are now open for the Alfred Friendly Press fellows worldwide. APPLY HERE
Apply for Open Society fellowships in investigative reporting
DEADLINE: AUGUST 31 ― Journalists and media scholars can now apply for the 2021 Open Society fellowships in investigative reporting. APPLY HERE
Photographers can apply for photo contest on nature
DEADLINE: 15 SEPTEMBER, 2020 ― The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), based in Geneva, is inviting interested photographers to submit their images on nature in support of the restoration of ecosystems. APPLY HERE
Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Centre Fellowship for scholars and writers
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 ― The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers is calling for applications for its 2021-2022 International Fellowship. APPLY HERE
Apply for remote Nieman Visiting Fellowships
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 ― Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University is dedicating its next round of Visiting Fellowships to journalism projects that address coronavirus pandemic and the movement for racial justice in the US. APPLY HERE
Apply for Wilson Center Fellowship
DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2020 ― Scholars, practitioners, journalists and public intellectuals can now apply for the Wilson Center Fellowship. APPLY HERE
Apply for training, grants to investigate sports management in Africa
DEADLINE: OCTOBER 28, 2020 ― Journalists in Africa can apply for training and grants from the Thomson Reuters Foundation to investigate sports management in their countries or other African countries. APPLY HERE
Coronavirus News Collaboration Challenge 2020
DEADLINE: DECEMBER 31, 2020 ― The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is seeking proposals that develop innovative approaches to reporting on the novel coronavirus crisis using collaboration among journalists and newsrooms across state lines or national borders. APPLY HERE.
Apply to be Dataphyte’s campus journalist ambassador
Dataphyte invites campus journalists interested in data journalism to register to become Dataphyte’s Campus Journalist Ambassador. APPLY HERE
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 20, 2024 — PEN PRESS UDUS, the campus media outlet of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), invites…
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — Code for Africa (CfA) has an immediate remote vacancy for a Senior Copy Editor. The Senior…
With a new month just around the corner, now is the time to seize the opportunities waiting for you in…
DEADLINE: OCTOBER 27, 2024 — BBC is looking for a talented Senior Journalist to help with the production of disinformation…
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — Rest of World is hiring an editor to oversee its coverage of Africa and the…
DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 2, 2024 — The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) seeks a talented and creative Video Journalist/Editor to…
This website uses cookies.