FIAP, FCA Equips Journalists and CSOs to Counter Election Disinformation Ahead of 2027

A three-day capacity-building training for media professionals and civil society actors focused on empowering journalists to uphold electoral integrity, combat disinformation, and strengthen democratic processes ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The workshop, themed “Truth at the Ballot: Strengthening Media and Civil Society for Democratic and Peaceful Elections in Nigeria,” was organised by FactCheck Africa in partnership with FIAP under the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security, and Governance (EPSG) Project held in Lagos, and trained media practitioners on responsible information dissemination, highlighting the potential societal chaos caused by mishandling misinformation.

On the first day, participants examined Nigeria’s evolving disinformation landscape and its implications for the electoral process. Led by Tony Bakare of AFP Nigeria, the session provided an overview of emerging trends, key actors spreading misinformation, and the specific impact of false narratives on women and young people.

The workshop then turned to verification and fact-checking methodologies. Mustapha Lawal, a researcher and fact-checker with FactCheck Africa, guided participants through practical tools for identifying and debunking misleading content. The session included hands-on training in reverse image searches, AI-assisted verification, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques tailored to electoral information.

Participants subsequently applied these skills in a practical verification laboratory, working in groups to analyse real-world electoral information case studies using source authentication and investigative research workflows.

Day two progressed beyond technical verification to address the broader issue of narrative manipulation and its influence on voter behaviour. Discussions focused on how disinformation campaigns exploit identity politics, deepen societal divisions, and shape public perceptions during elections.

Participants explored strategies for integrating open-source intelligence into newsroom operations to detect and respond to harmful narratives before they spread. The training emphasised proactive monitoring and early intervention as essential tools for safeguarding electoral integrity.

Lekan Otufodunrin of the Media Career Development Network highlighted how divisive rhetoric is often deliberately crafted to influence voter attitudes and behaviours. His presentation examined the mechanisms through which emotionally charged narratives spread, and the risks they pose to democratic processes.

Another session led by Hannah Ajakaiye of Facts Matter Nigeria challenged participants to strengthen gender and youth representation in election reporting. She urged media practitioners to go beyond tokenistic approaches and ensure coverage accurately reflects the experiences and concerns of women and young people.

The afternoon featured a high-pressure simulation exercise where participants developed mitigation strategies for complex disinformation scenarios. The exercise concluded with teams presenting and defending their editorial frameworks during a lively plenary debate.

Participants observed that maintaining media integrity involves more than just identifying manipulated images or videos. It also requires the ability to recognise, challenge, and dismantle narratives designed to mislead voters and cause real-world consequences.

Day three concentrated on safe journalism during elections, with Mojeed Alabi discussing what journalists need to carry and do to stay safe during the electoral process.

The highlight of the event was the launch of the safe toolkit for journalists and a communique issued at the end of the workshop.