VON Boss Urges Military To Utilise Fact-check Tools to Tackle Fake News

VON Boss Urges Military To Utilise Fact-check Tools to Tackle Fake News

The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called on the Nigerian Military to make use of fact-checking tools to tackle the menace of fake news which is capable of affecting its reputation.

Ndace made the call at the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School, Abuja, during the ongoing workshop organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations in conjunction with the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information.

Speaking on the lecture titled “Combating Fake News: Roles of Stakeholders in Digital Media,” the VON boss urged the Nigerian Army and paramilitary agencies present at the occasion to always have a media plan at every point in time to avoid information gaps that could lead to misinformation.

Similarly, he advised members of the Armed Forces not to see reporters as enemies because of one bad report but work towards avoiding fake news.

According to him, it is important to “understand the threats, adapt to the evolving digital landscape to avoid fake news and its spread.”

He called on military spokespersons to respond to fake news on time to stop it from lingering for too long.

He also urged them to develop a robust media plan as a proactive tool for tactical operational and strategic communication, ensuring effective digital media training for personnel.

The workshop which started on Tuesday, is tagged “Harnessing the Potential of Media for Effective Military Operations within a Joint Environment.”

The philosophy of the Army according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T.A Lagbaja, is “to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”

The second day of the workshop had in attendance Dr. Monday Ekpe, Amb Austin Peacemaker, Mr Chidi Omeije, paramilitary agencies, stakeholders, among others.