Experts have called for building systems of truth to tackle the increasing spread of misinformation and unethical practices in the African media space.
A media executive and broadcaster with Radio Nigeria, Tope Ojeme, made the call on Thursday during the closing ceremony of second quarter courses of the West Africa Broadcast Media Academy (WABMA) and the celebration of the 100th edition the academy’s News Debunker Series with the theme: “Truth in Media Excellence in Learning” in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme“Beyond debunking: Building a Culture of Media Integrity in Africa’s Next Century” Ojeme said the use of deep fakes, doctored videos, and misinformation underscores the age of noise and the loudest microphones when speed trumps sense and volume drowns out value, especially in Africa, where many countries are still struggling to develop.
The consequence? Dangerous myths spread faster than science. Fake cures go viral. Conspiracy theories take root in classrooms. Elections are swayed by bots. And public trust – the bedrock of any democratic society, is eroded, pixel by pixel,” he said.
“Let’s be clear: the same technology that threatens truth can also protect it. Yes, algorithms can be hijacked—but they can also be designed to prioritise verified sources. Yes, AI can create fakes—but AI can also flag manipulation faster than any human can.
“We must empower African developers, engineers, and creators to build: AI-driven fact-checking plugins for newsrooms, Blockchain-based archives to protect journalistic work tampering, Open-data platforms that allow citizens to hold leaders accountable.”
Apart from building systems of truth to debunk falsehood, he suggested ecosystems of integrity, legal protection for truth-telling journalists and media practitioners and creating truth desks.
In his remarks, the rector of the academy, Ken Ike Okere, PhD, said it was important to not only train broadcasters and journalists but to shape media citizens who understand the power and responsibilities of the platform they inhabit.
Okere, who was represented by the Dean of Studies, Felix Okoro, said, “The ceremony reminds us that we must continue to innovate, continue to educate.”
Awards were later presented to successful participants in its 2025 second quarter media and communication certification courses.
Earlier in a statement Registrar of WABMA, Joseph Obari quoted the Rector of the Academy, Dr Ken Ike Okere as saying that in an era of worrying proliferation of fake news and a culture of poor verification, the fake news debunker series has come to be a reference point for news consumers in Nigeria and beyond.
“To deepen commitment to accurate news, the culture of verification and the promotion of media literacy, we have launched the WABMA DebunkIt Challenge for students, young journalists, and media enthusiasts in commemoration of the 100th edition of the WABMA Fake News Debunker, which started running since April 2022,” Dr Okere said.
Competitors in the online competition are being assessed on a one-minute fact-checking video production debunking any widespread health, political, religious, gender myth or misinformation in West Africa.
Okere said that the competition aims to Inspire a new generation of fact-checkers and ethical communicators, reward creativity and truth-telling through public participation in digital media.
