ICIR Launches Project to Combat AI-Enhanced Misinformation in Nigeria

The International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has launched a project targeting journalists, activists and social media influencers to combat AI-enhanced misinformation in Nigeria.

The Project tagged Countering AI-Enhanced Misinformation in Nigeria Project is supported by the US Embassy in Abuja.

A statement sent to WikkiTimes by the ICIR’s editor, Victoria Bamas, said the project is designed to address the growing challenge of AI-enhanced misinformation by equipping journalists, social media influencers, and civic actors with the necessary skills and tools for promoting responsible information sharing in the country.

The statement said the project seeks to strengthen media literacy and counter the negative impact of AI-driven misinformation in Nigeria, aligning with the ICIR’s mission of fostering good governance through investigative and data-driven journalism.

The ICIR noted that the project will train 120 participants drawn from the six geopolitical zones in the country through a two-day AI literacy workshop.

“The Countering AI-Enhanced Misinformation in Nigeria Project will build capacity 120 journalists, social media influencers and civic actors selected from the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” it said.

The ICIR invites interested journalists, activists and social media influencers to apply within the application period to enable them to participate in the project that would cover the entire country.

” The application opens on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and closes on Saturday, December 21, 2024. 

“The project will feature a two-day AI literacy workshop which will build necessary skills for participants to identify and counter AI-enhanced misinformation in Nigeria, which will result in quality and responsible information sharing in the country.

“The training will be followed by the formation of a Rapid Response Team who will work with the ICIR project team in identifying and countering AI-enhanced misinformation, throughout the lifespan of the project.  

“Other focus areas of the project include in-depth research on the August 2024 End Bad Governance protest in Nigeria, radio program series, and media publications, the ICIR said in the statement. 

According to the statement, candidates can be journalists, social media influencers or civic actors who must have prior knowledge of the misinformation and disinformation ecosystem and its impacts on Nigeria.  

“Candidates must be resident in any of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria but must be willing to travel for the training program and willing to participate in follow-up activities on the project.  

“Candidates MUST also own a laptop, without which they will not be admitted to the training. In addition, they must have a smartphone and active social media accounts. 

“Candidate must be willing to learn and adopt fact-checking technology in media reporting. Note that persons with previous demonstrable knowledge of fact-checking will be prioritised”.  

It added that interested candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply online from Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to Saturday, December 21, 2024, using this link. 

The statement added that female candidates and persons with disability are encourgaed to apply.

To apply, kindly click this link https://forms.gle/RyRfZ4kBBEPTFDc16