By Olaolu Fawole
On Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, the fourth estate of the realm observed International Fact-Checking Day.
A day set aside to remember the roles of journalists in safeguarding the credibility and truthfulness of information in the wake of spread of fake news globally.
Fact-Checking is a necessity nowadays as the world is faced with rapid dissemination of information across social media platforms and through traditional media.
Fake news is a false report of happenings disguised as legitimate news and poses threat to public peace, integrity of individuals and societal harmony.
Examples of fake news are deepfakes, photoshopped images, misleading headlines, selectively edited recordings and imposter websites.
Therefore, to stem the spread of fake news, media professionals, most especially the pen pushers, are trained and armed with tools to counter fake news, also known as misinformation.
Some fact checking tools are Factcheck.org, Snopes, Politifact, Google Fact Check Explorer, Whois, TruthBuzz and Media Bias/Fact Check.
Journalists, who emerged as guardians of the truth, must ensure effective fact-checking of information which include accuracy, objectivity, accountability while abiding by the ethical standards of journalism.
The process of fact-checking involves verification of information before dissemination, giving priority for substance over less important angles in the information, which is expected to guide news consumers towards reliable news sources, critical thinking and media literacy.
With the advent of social media, fake news spreads fast like wild fire, therefore journalists who are gatekeepers should be equipped with fact-checking tools and collaborate with fact-checking organisations to stem the tide.
Regulatory bodies, media establishments as well as journalists unions need to come up with trainings and workshops for media professionals on various ways to counter misinformation.
As the war to end fake news continues, journalists should also leverage on technology to strengthen fact-checking efforts and be bold to openly refute errors.
Journalists, who play indispensable roles in fighting fake news, must be dedicated to unwavering commitment to uphold a democratic and peaceful society.
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