As part of activities in safeguarding digital civic space for electoral integrity of the 2023 elections, a Non Governmental Organization, Food Basket Foundation International (FBFI), a part of the Safeguarding Online Civic Space (SOCS) group has called on the media to join efforts in combating voters misinformation and disinformation.
This call was made by the Chief Executive Officer, Food Basket Foundation International, Dr. (Mrs) Funmi Akinyele during a press conference on misinformation and disinformation, ahead of the 2023 general elections held on Friday, Ibadan, Oyo State Capital.
In her words,
“Without a doubt, the integrity of the 2023 general elections will be significant in determining the future of Nigeria as an indivisible nation. All hands must be on deck to facilitate free, fair, and credible elections. Millions of Nigerians, particularly 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.”
“The online civic space in Nigeria is gradually taking shape, as the spread of digital platforms becomes apparent and knowledge of their use for civic activities grows. Opportunities provided by the internet continue to promote implementation among numerous civil society organizations in Nigeria, which use it to organize and engage citizens. Digital technologies have become essential for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to collaborate, create awareness, and mobilize their communities.”
Akinyele identified that use of current and future legislative instruments poses a significant danger to Nigeria’s online civic space as Governments continue to impose legal and, sometimes, extreme restrictions on civil society in the face of a deteriorating larger political landscape which has consistently repressed freedoms of speech and freedom of information.
While emphasizing on how the digital civic space has been misused through the spread of falsehood misinformation and disinformation, she highlighted that the overarching goal of the project is to protect online civic space by combating misinformation and disinformation while providing access to accurate information inclusively.
She said further,
“ The Safeguarding Digital Civic Space Objective is to protect online civic space by combating voter misinformation and disinformation while improving access to accurate civic information inclusively. This project will / create easily digestible factsheets and train fact-checkers across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.”
“Part of our strategy is to engage the media, as critical stakeholders, regarding their role in countering misinformation and disinformation by holding press conferences across the six geo- political zones. In addition, we hope to have improved inclusivity in access to the online voter and civic information for vulnerable and marginalized groups, including people living with disabilities (PWD), women, and youth.”
However, in generating evidence on the integrity and openness of the online civic space before during and after the 2023 election, Akinyele, urged the media to support their effort to combat voters misinformation and disinformation.
She said further,
“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. We look forward to developing a solid partnership with you that will last far beyond the project. We appeal to you to kindly use your platforms to establish a supportive climate where the project’s success determines the electoral landscape’s agenda and serves as a watchdog for future elections.”
The USAID Strengthening Civic and Local Engagement (SCALE) spawned the Safeguard Online Civic Space (SOCS) group.
Members of the Safeguarding Online Civic Space (SOCS) group includes Food Basket Foundation International (FBFI), SB Morgen Intelligence, Learners Corner (LC), Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO), Gatefield, Nigeria Numeric (NN), African Girl Child Support and Development Initiative (AGCSDI) among others
Present at the press conference includes SOCS Group members which are Mrs. Efua Edeh, Chief Executive Officer, Social Impact Consulting, Mr. Ikemesit Effiong, Head of Research, SBM Intelligence, Anita Graham, Program Officer, AGCSDI/Learner Corner among others
