Media, CSOs adopt measures to combat fake news ahead Osun, 2027 elections

Journalists, fact-checkers, and civil society organizations have launched a nationwide #CheckBeforeYouPost campaign to combat misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech. This initiative aims to strengthen media and civil society's role in ensuring democratic and peaceful elections in Nigeria, particularly ahead of the Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders identified growing threats from coordinated misinformation campaigns that could undermine electoral integrity, fuel political tension, and erode public trust in democratic institutions. These concerns were formalized in a communiqué following a three-day regional capacity-building workshop in Lagos, themed "Truth at the Ballot: Strengthening Media and Civil Society for Democratic and Peaceful Elections in Nigeria."

The workshop, organized by Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas in partnership with FactCheckAfrica under the EU Support to ECOWAS Project, brought together diverse participants. They observed that the spread of false information on digital platforms poses a significant challenge, capable of influencing voter behavior and weakening confidence in electoral processes. The communiqué highlighted that women, youth, persons with disabilities, and minority groups are particularly vulnerable to online harassment and hate speech during elections.

Participants also acknowledged the dual nature of Artificial Intelligence, recognizing its opportunities for journalism while noting the risks posed by synthetic media and automated misinformation campaigns. The communiqué emphasized that electoral misinformation increasingly exploits ethnic, religious, regional, and political divisions, making proactive monitoring and rapid response mechanisms essential. Lessons from past elections underscore that unchecked misinformation contributes to voter suppression, political violence, and declining public confidence, making collaboration among all stakeholders critical.