Fake News Menace: University Don, Others Proffered Solutions At Delta Online Publishers’ Convention

The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), a certified Corporate organization have been charged to distinguished themselves from the purveyors of fake news in a bid to eliminate the menace.

Speaking at the DOPF’s second annual convention held in Asaba, Delta State capital, various media experts and legal practitioners tackled the lead topic of the conference which they said is a major challenge before professional journalists.

Delivery a keynote lecture on the theme: “The Role of Online Media In 2019 Election: Managing Fake”, the guest speaker, Prof. Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, charged stakeholders in the industry to publish what is true, accurate, balanced and in support of national unity as well as employ independent fact-checking mechanism.

While elaborating on how fake news has become a global challenge, Prof. Ogwezzy-Ndisika, urged DOPF members to ensure ethical standards as online publishers and also maintain a branded online news portals that would be a source of verifiable and authentic news for readers.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Michael Ikeogwu who is also chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Delta State Council, while speaking highlighted the dangers of fake news and therefore urged media practitioners not to follow the trend.

The various discussants at the event including the National Chairman of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Barr. Malachy Ugwummadu who was one of the awardee at the event, harped on the need for stakeholders to build capacity in the area of data journalism.

Also speaking, chairman of DOPF, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli said that the organization was determined to reposition itself for the task ahead, saying that since formation DOPF have done well in promoting good governance in the state.

Meanwhile, a communique issued at the end of the brainstorming deliberations signed by Mr. Joe Ogbodu, (Chairman
Communique Drafting Committee) and Mr. John Egie, (Secretary Communique Drafting Committee) obtained by BigPen Online, the group resolved that professional media practitioners must show commitment to continuing to wage the online war against fakes and it’s adverse effects by distinguishing ourselves from purveyors of fakes and not join the bandwagon of those who rush to break the “news” on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or other online platforms without confirming same.

The communique read in full: “That we are determined to keep faith to the principles of our formation which are centred on the tripod of Ethics, Professionalism and Service in the delivery of our journalistic mandate as publishers and purveyors of credible news and authentic verifiable information.

“That we strongly condemn the scourge of “fake news” which has become an International phenomenon and would continue to re-brand our online news portals as source of verifiable and authentic news carriers.

“That we express our concern about how the social media was used as a tool by politicians  to spew hate speech, lies, abuse, divisiveness and distraction during and after the 2015 general elections and therefore resolved that we must collectively fight the menace which has become anti-people and anti-development as 2019 general elections approaches.

“That the DOPF would continued to ensure that its members provide unbiased platform devoid of partisanship, favouritism and fakes.

“That we will not be part of the copycat machination of those who build online platforms in order to make money through click baits and other nefarious reasons, rather as professional journalists in the media industry we will ensure mechanism through which fake news are eliminated and ensure that truth prevails at all times.

“DOPF charged stakeholders in the industry to publish what is true, accurate, balanced and in support of national unity as well as employ independent fact-checking mechanism.

“We resolved that as the 2019 general elections draws near,  the media must endeavour to accentuate its agenda setting capacity by advocating issue-based campaign among politicians.

“It held that the media must ensure a robust and articulate debate among the various presidential candidates so that the 2019 general elections do not go the way of fake news,  hate speech and other rhetoric.

“That seasoned online journalists must work at the credibility problems in the online media by ensuring whatever they publish has all the elements of credibility as the menace of fakes has continued to tarnish the good work of seasoned journalists and online news media publishers.

“Conclusively, the Convention maintained that as Nigeria prepare for the 2019 general elections that will usher in a new set of leaders, the media industry especially online media practitioners must be at the fore front of ensuring that the right narrative are in the public domain. And that the media practitioners must not allow themselves to be used by politicians to throw tantrums at each other”.