AlBarka FM, WSCIJ trains Journalists on Fact-Check, Investigating, Local Governance Reporting

Media practitioners in Kwara state, were on Wednesday, 6th of September, trained on Information Fact-Checking, Investigation and Local governance reporting at a ‘1-Day Quarterly media executives roundtable on good governance and accountability.’

The roundtable discussion which was organized by Albarika 89.9 FM with the support of Wole Soyinka center for investigative Journalism and MacArthur Foundation, took place at Sity Inn hotel, GRA, Ilorin, Kwara state capital.

The sessions which is an efforts to mitigate local information disorder, ensure factual reportage and promote Local governance reporting in the state, had in attendance media executives from conventional and new media platforms.

A veteran Journalist and General Manager of Herald Newspaper, Mr. Yomi Adeboye who spoke on ‘Decentralization and Local Governance,’ stressed on the Citizens engagement with local governments for improved services.

Adeboye highlighted Town Halls, Traditional institutions, Development driven journalism, Reporting the people, reporting the government, and Freedon of Information (FoI) as the steps for improving local governments services to the citizens.

According to him, “journalists should build and maintain strong relationship with communities and policymakers in order to help in increasing transparency and accountability while making decisions.”

“Media should also advocate for the citizens interests and priorities by investigating and reporting the quality and efficiency of service delivered at the grass root level,” Adeboye said.

He therefore urged media executives from conventional and new media to show more interest in investigating and reporting governance at the local level.

Earlier in her virtual session, Zainab Sanni of News Verifier Africa enlightened the participants on steps and tools required for Fact-Checking information, visual story or imagery in order to avoid the spread of information disorder.

She urged Journalists to be skeptical, verify before you sharing adding that, “Misinformation and disinformation are being used as weapons to undermine trust, create division, and foment chaos in our country.”
“Journalists assume they are wrong and seeks corroborating evidence. Create your own habit of Fact-Checking, It is a civic survival skill and duty in a post truth world.”