By Boluwatife Adedokun
In an era where false information spreads faster than the truth, a group of journalists has been equipped with the tools to fight back.
Through The Verifiers, an initiative by the BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) in partnership with Witness, reporters from various media organizations underwent intensive training to strengthen their ability to verify information and uphold ethical journalism.
The training sessions, led by industry experts, focused on tackling misinformation, digital verification techniques, and ethical fact-checking. Participants were introduced to Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), forensic image analysis, and other advanced tools designed to help them navigate the growing challenges of digital misinformation.
Blessing Oladunjoye, BOFIM’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of applying these skills in daily reporting.
“This program is not just about training—it’s about creating a culture of verification. Journalists have a responsibility to ensure that the public receives accurate information, free from manipulation,” she said.
Experts from leading media and fact-checking organizations, including CeCe Siago from Nation Media Group, Kenya, Georgia Edwards from Witness, Youri Van Der Weide from Bellingcat, and Simbiat Bakare from DUBAWA West Africa, led sessions that covered various aspects of verification.
They demonstrated practical methods for identifying manipulated content, geolocating images, and debunking false claims that spread through platforms like X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and TikTok.
During one session, Bakare used a real-world case study on a fake death announcement to walk journalists through the verification process. She stressed the importance of transparency, urging journalists to document their steps rather than simply labeling claims as false. “It’s not just about saying something is untrue—it’s about showing how you arrived at that conclusion so the public can trust your findings,” she explained.
Beyond technical skills, the training reinforced the ethical responsibility of journalists to prioritize accuracy over speed. Experts warned against the dangers of spreading misinformation—even unintentionally—and encouraged fact-checkers to adopt rigorous verification practices before publishing any report.
BOFIM’s commitment to strengthening journalism integrity extends beyond this training. The foundation has pledged to continue equipping journalists with the skills needed to fight misinformation and disinformation, ensuring that the media remains a reliable source of truth in a world saturated with falsehoods.
