Dubawa, an independent verification and fact-checking platform has been launched for journalists in Ghana with an aim to help democracy thrive through factual reportage.
The platform is promoted by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) with the aim of intensifying the culture of truth in public discourse, public policy, and journalistic practice.
Information Minister, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah speaking at the launch of the platform on Tuesday, February 25 in Accra, noted that as Ghana nears an election year, fake news and misinformation is a major threat to the information industry.
Adding that the Dubawa project comes at an opportune time for journalists to acquire the needed skills in churning out factual and appropriate news and information.
“We couldn’t have found a better time to start this project but now because 2020 is a major election year for a number of reasons. We have the two traditional parties and two candidates who have been at it for a while now and are both taking another shot at reelection so the stakes are bit higher in the 2020 elections and it is, therefore, heartwarming that Dubawa at this point is being rolled out to combat the threat of misinformation within the media space,” he explained.
He advised that, for the coordinators the platform to succeed, they must seriously invest in their capacity to properly fact-check and apply fact-checking to a particular context.
Ms. Josephine Nkrumah, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in her remarks urged the media to act in the interest of national security and public order in their reportage and advised them to be factual in their news dispensation.
“Whiles our constitution does not put impediments on establishing mass media, there’s a caveat to that freedom and independence to ensuring that the media acts in the interest of national security, public order, public morality and for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights, and freedoms of all.”
Board Member for Dubawa, Prof. Kwame Karikari indicated that media institutions must effectively strengthen their capacity and operations in news reporting and avoid activities that could undermine their ability to influence society in any positive way.
Founder and Executive Director of PTCIJ, Dapo Olorunyomi said that to uplift the press under democracy, there’s a need for a safe environment for journalists to practice and maintain the integrity of their work.
Caroline Anipah, Programme Officer for Dubawa Ghana assured that her outfit will continue to engage with the media across Ghana and provide the needed requisite skills and knowledge for them to independently be factual in their journalism practice.
Fact-checking training
Dubawa, will from Wednesday, February 26 to Friday 28, 2020 hold a three-day fact-checking training for some selected journalists in Ghana.
Fact-checking refers to the practice of verifying or checking factual assertions in a non-fictional text in order to determine the veracity and correctness of the factual statement in the text.
It also provides accountability and transparency in information provision.
