Center Trains Journalists On False Information

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) has trained 70 Borno-based journalists on defences against spread of false information and hate speech.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a two- day training which began on Friday, programme officer of CDD West Africa, Chioma Iruke, said; “The goal is to deepen understanding of these threats and equip practitioners with the tools to counter them effectively.”

She added that the workshop focused on “information disorder”—the complex mix of accidental misinformation and intentional disinformation that frequently clouds public discourse, saying that the sessions were designed to help reporters identify and dismantle these narratives before they reach the public.

Participants moved beyond traditional theory, engaging in hands-on drills and analysing real-life case studies. The curriculum prioritised practical verification techniques and a return to core journalism ethics, ensuring that accuracy remains the standard for every story published or shared.

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Borno State, Abdulkareem Haruna, commended the NGO for initiating the training for journalists in the state, saying it would strengthen the integrity of the local media, particularly in a frontline  area like Borno where the impact of a single false report could be profound.