By Boluwatife Adedokun
In a bid to strengthen journalism’s role in combating misinformation, the BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM), in partnership with WITNESS, has launched a training program aimed at equipping early-career journalists and students with advanced fact-checking techniques.
The initiative introduces “The Verifiers,” a movement designed to promote factual reporting and counter digital falsehoods. BOFIM’s founder, Blessing Oladunjoye, emphasized the importance of empowering young journalists with investigative tools to ensure responsible storytelling, particularly in gender-sensitive and disability-focused reporting.
Highlighting the dangers of AI-driven misinformation, she cited a recent case involving a fabricated image of Pastor Enoch Adeboye. “AI can be a force for good or a tool for deception. Journalists must stay ahead,” she warned.
CeCe Siago, a Kenyan journalist and fact-checker, led the training, dissecting misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, while stressing the role of social media in spreading falsehoods. “Verification is key before amplification,” she advised.
Adewusi Temitope, a project coordinator, outlined the program’s broader goal: equipping journalists with open-source intelligence tools to detect and challenge misinformation, safeguarding media credibility in an era of digital manipulation.
Participants will continue to receive expert mentorship, ensuring they are well-prepared to uphold journalistic integrity and counter misinformation effectively.
