No fewer than 170 radio hosts, producers, and reporters will acquire fact-checking skills and explore best practices for spotting fake news, disinformation and misinformation.

The training, according to a statement on Monday, is being supported by the United States Consulate General in Lagos, the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy and the Enugu Literacy Society.

The statement read, “The project seeks to strengthen critical thinking skills, expand digital and media literacy, and build the capacity of radio journalists to counter misinformation and disinformation across the 17 states of southern Nigeria.

“Through this project, more than 170 radio hosts, producers, and reporters will acquire fact-checking skills and explore best practices for spotting fake news, disinformation, and misinformation.

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“The secondary component of ‘Project Fact Check Nigeria’ is to teach 1,000 young leaders the basics of digital fact-checking and how to separate fact from fiction and opinion using the existing media literacy curriculum of the Young African Leaders Initiative.”

The US Consulate’s Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli, explained that a healthy democracy required an informed public as well as accountable media that provides truthful and objective information.

“By promoting media literacy, we strengthen the principles of transparency, good governance and rule of law that serve as the essential cornerstones of our democratic system,” Ibelli said.