Tackling misinformation and disinformation, especially on digital space, through aggressive civic education and sensitization is key to determining the success of the 2023 General Election.
This was the submission of the Chief Executive Officer of a non-governmental organisation, Food Basket Foundation International, FBFI, Dr Funmi Akinyele, at a news conference held in Ibadan.
Dr Akinyele, who noted that millions of Nigerians get their information online, said the digital space must be safeguarded to enhance the integrity of the forthcoming elections.
Dr Akinyele said all hands must be on deck to ensure free, fair and credible elections this year.
“Without a doubt, the integrity of the 2023 General Election will be significant in determining the future of Nigeria as an indivisible Nation”.
“Millions of Nigerians, particular eligible voters, get their information online. Therefore, the digital civic space is expected to play a significant role in the decisions that a myriad of Nigerians will take during the presidential elections coming up in February 2023 and the gubernatorial elections in March 2023”.
Dr Akinyele disclosed that the FBFI, with other key stakeholders, has launched a project, Safeguarding Digital Civic Space for Electoral Integrity (SDSEI), ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“The Safeguarding Digital Civic Space for Electoral Integrity (SDSEI) project will engage critical stakeholders across government, telecommunications, civil society and the general public, who have been united by an overarching interest in protecting the online civic space to maximize the benefits and minimize the threats for proper enlightenment and education of the populace on their civic rights regarding the general election”.
The FBFI Boss also called for the support of the media and other critical stakeholders to improve access to accurate civic information.
“We are asking the media to support us in our efforts to combat voter misinformation and disinformation, improve inclusive voter and civic education and generate evidence regarding the openness and integrity of the digital civic space while tracking the political, economic environment by giving the project the required publicity so that it gets to every part of the country. We expect that you will offer web links, movie clips, online broadcasts, and reports that will portray the above-mentioned SDSEI objectives”.
Dr Akinyele added that the FBFI, in partnership with other NGOs, would continue to develop relatable skits, jingles and Radio Live shows in various languages to educate the public on the dangers of misinformation to the forthcoming elections.
“Therefore, we enjoin all and sundry to cooperate with us as we transverse the six geopolitical zones of the nation in our quest towards protecting the digital civic space by reducing the impact of fake news, misinformation and disinformation and repression of rights to information, while simultaneously increasing voter knowledge of constitutional rights and electoral processes”.
