IPC holds interface with INEC on electoral disinformation, misinformation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Media and  Civil Society, will on  Saturday in Abuja,  brainstorm on challenges of disinformation and misinformation as the 2023 general elections beckoned.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by Ms Olutoyin Ayoade, Communications Officer, International Press Centre IPC.

Ayoade said the interface between the INEC and other stakeholders on flashpoints of electoral disinformation and misinformation ahead of the 2023 elections was being organised by the IPC.

She explained that the IPC was the lead partner of component Four (Support to media) of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase Two (EUSDGN Two) project.

She disclosed that the event would be chaired by Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Chairman of the Editorial Board of Premium Times and Senior Fellow of Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

She added that Festus Okoye, INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education would give the keynote address and  was expected to outline measures for curbing fake news in the electoral process.

Ayoade, noted that if the spread of fake news in the electoral process was left unchecked,  it could deny the voters the opportunity to make informed choices at the polls while it might  also induce hate speech and electoral violence.

“As observed during the Nigeria 2019 elections, fake news can be potentially weaponised, if appropriate measures are not properly established to tackle it.

“At least 40 stakeholders including editors, correspondents, CSO representatives, the INEC Director of Voter Education, Mr. Ayo Aluko and the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi are expected at the interface.

“The specific objective of the EU funded media component is to ensure that, “The Media, including New and Social Media, provides fair, accurate, ethical and inclusive coverage of the Electoral Process,” She said.