The International Press Centre (IPC), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, on Wednesday, launched the iVerify project in Abuja.
iVerify is a technological fact-checking tool targeted at fighting the menace of misinformation/ disinformation, fake news and hate speech
It aimed at enhancing transparency and strengthening national capacities to prevent and mitigate threats hampering the integrity of information
The Executive Director International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the iVerify platform was to support the media and journalists in disseminating accurate information to the general public.
Arogundade added that the iVerify initiative also seeks to strengthen the fight against rising information disorder caused by the proliferation of disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech in the electoral and democratic processes
He disclosed the Centre’s plan to train 1000 journalists as detective of disinformation, fact checkers particularly on issues related to election in the 36 states and FCT from now to 2027.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, represented by INEC’s Acting Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mary Nkem, restated that hate speech could erode respect for human rights, promote discrimination, and inci okote hostility, potentially leading to violence. This, in turn, could disrupt peaceful elections and social unrest
He stated further that hate speech can provoke hostility and aggression, leading to acts of harassment and intimidation and even physical violence in the context of the electoral process and can disrupt the peaceful conduct of elections.
Speaking also, the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Lealem Dinku, represented by the Team lead, Governance, Peace and Security Mr. Mathew said the aim was to deepen democratic culture in Nigeria by converting the negative influence of misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other forms of information disorder in the nation’s polity adding that information disorder must be checked
He further canvassed public support to ensure the success of the initiative.
