Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, has said that fake news and misreporting of anti-corruption efforts threaten stability and livelihood of the nation.

Owasanoye made the assertion during his remarks at the opening of a two-day capacity building training for journalists covering the commission, on Monday, in Abuja.

He noted that the essence of the workshop was to close gaps identified in the reportage of anti-corruption efforts by journalists.

He said: “Another reason for this training is to improve the quality of reporting so that the information put out there does not become asymmetrical or misleading.

“So, this engagement would help us report accurately in a way that does not exaggerate or under report our achievements. We also believe this would improve your own knowledge of the sector in terms of measures by which corruption can be tackled, and not just by investigation, prosecution and how this is communicated to secure public support.”

“We do recognise the role of the media in raising public awareness, shaping public discourse and opinion and, of course, contributing to development.

“Unfortunately, it’s not only our jobs that are threatened; yours, too, are, because everyone with an average digital device is a journalist now, and once they have a smartphone, they can create news and sometimes they are believed more than you, who have been trained to report news in a balanced way, recognising the consequences and the risk of misreporting.

“But many of these street reporters, who have no training beyond the smartphone with video camera and ability to record, are not bothered. So, one of the things that should be of concern to us is the risk of misuse of this ability.”