BY: Mustapha Lawal
Academic dons and professional experts have called for the reinforced implementation of ethical standards in journalism and other fields of human endeavour. This call was made at the Capacity Development Training and Digital Rights Conference organized by FactCheckAfrica, an initiative of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, on 24th July 2024.
They emphasized the need for inclusive and reliable media leadership with strong ethical guidelines to combat the menace of information pollution, particularly against marginalized individuals. The conference aimed to address the widespread issue of misinformation and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in media practices.
Dr Adebayo Oguntuwase, Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the Polytechnic, in his welcome address, lamented how the noble practice of journalism has been hijacked by unqualified individuals due to increased connectivity and social media reach. He stated, “The practice of journalism has been hijacked by quacks, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure we redeem it.”
Dr Adebola Adeniyi-Agbaje, General Manager of ProgressFM, in her keynote address, explained how social media has exacerbated the spread of fake news and how the urgency to break news often leads to the dissemination of misinformation. She remarked, “Social media is the headquarters of fake news… Rushing to break news makes you liable to rush to break your back. Retraction of news stories as fake is a sign of lack of professionalism.”
During the panel session themed “Inclusive Media Leadership to Combat Gendered Disinformation in Marginalized Communities,” Miss Itunu Adejugbe, a lecturer at the polytechnic, highlighted how gendered disinformation permeates various sectors beyond journalism. She emphasized, “Gendered disinformation stems from archaic myths and unfounded biases against women, especially to discredit their hard work and reduce their being to little or nothing. It all starts from a tender age when we tell who deserves what by gender and not by competence.”
Mr. Jide Ogunluyi, General Manager of Fresh FM Ado Ekiti, advocated for the inclusion of fact-checking and digital literacy in the academic curriculum. He stressed the importance of adapting educational systems to incorporate these essential skills to better prepare students for ethical media practices.
Mrs Oluwaseun Adepoju and Mr Oyewale Oyelola critically examined how inclusive media leadership could effectively combat gendered disinformation. They concluded that the practice of journalism must evolve with time without deviating from ethical standards. They also emphasized the importance of journalists evolving with trends and adopting emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to improve the practice while adhering to the highest ethical standards.
The conference underscored FactCheckAfrica’s commitment to preserving the integrity of information and fostering an informed and responsible media environment. The event was supported by FactChecknet and Poynter and saw the participation of media and technology experts, academics, civic leaders, and over 1000 students.
Also in attendance was the institution’s Rector, Engr. Dr Temitope John, represented by the Deputy Rector of Administration, Dr Michael Olabowale Akinola. The event underscored FactCheckAfrica’s commitment to preserving the integrity of information and fostering an informed and responsible media environment.
