13/03/2026
FIAP has organised a workshop aimed at Generation Z with the aim of teaching them how to counter misinformation, fake news and hate speech during election periods.
Like the rest of the world, West Africa is also being swept up in the rapid evolution of the digital world. And this means that democracy is facing a sophisticated attack, especially as the 2026 and 2027 elections approach.
Social media platforms have become the primary channels for spreading disinformation, often functioning as a kind of ‘street radio,’ where false content circulates rapidly through trusted community networks. Addressing this information disorder is therefore crucial to the survival and integrity of West African democracies.
In light of this situation, journalists and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) from six southern Nigerian states (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers) gathered in Uyo for intensive training on how to identify and counter misinformation, fake news and hate speech during election periods.
The workshop, organised by FIAP through the European Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) project, showed participants how to apply ethical and peace-oriented journalistic practices. In addition, the community awareness campaign #CheckBeforeYouPost was launched during this training.
The training has been aimed especially at Generation Z, as they are the ones most in touch with the digital world, so that they are able to counter misinformation, fake news and hate speech during the election period.
With the aim of unifying efforts, with a special focus at the community and local levels, training participants will lead local #CheckBeforeYouPost campaigns in their states to promote peaceful and credible elections, strengthen credible information, reduce the risks of electoral violence and promote democratic governance in West Africa.
