Independent Online Newspapers Move To Check Fake News In Nigeria

Platform For Checking Fake News Launched In Nigeria

CrossCheck Nigeria, a platform for media practitioners to fact-check fake news and misinformation, was on Wednesday launched.

About 16 Nigeria’s independent online newspaper have agreed to collaboratively fight misinformation, particularly fake news, in the country.

The platform, which is a result of efforts between First Draft and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, will ask Nigerians to send rumours to a Whatsapp account, reply back with correct information and encourage the people who originally sent it to share it with their groups.

Pedro Noel, a Nigeria News reporter who is part of the Comprova project in Brazil, was part of the facilitators who helped train representatives from participating media houses.

“I wasn’t expecting as much misinformation in Nigeria as it compares to Brazil. But we actually had more work here,” he said.

Speaking on the project, Jenni Sargent, First Draft’s managing director, said the website will use research-based methods to fight misinformation and disinformation emanating from the social web.

“Our CrossCheck projects are designed to help the public understand not only what to trust, but also why,” she said.

“Followers of the CrossCheck Nigeria project will be shown the fact-checking and verification steps behind each report, and will also see the logos of all partner newsrooms that have taken part in each investigation.”