By
Haliru Ummideen Mahe
The Mass Communication Students’ Association (MACOSA), Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State Chapter has identified dangers of fake news especially in online communities.
Speaking on the topic “Dangers of Fake News in the Digital Era of Today’s Journalism”, Mr Akeem Lasisi, an award winning journalist, author and performance poet, Mr. Akeem Lasisi explained that.
” it is no longer news that fake news is a huge problem that spreads like bonfire in journalism and the coming of citizen journalism, as well as the emergence of the internet has worsened the spread of fake news in today’s journalism.
The lecture was part of the activities to mark the 2021 MACOSA week celebrations.
Lasisi, former editorial staff of The Punch Newspaper said fake news could be manipulated in news stories, photographs, videos or audios shared purposely to deceive the audience or receivers of such messages.
Lasisi explained that these distortions usually come in print, broadcast and Photoshop, adding that where in doubt, journalists should always crosscheck or wait instead of breaking fake news.
He said facts are sacred in journalism but certain factors like misinformation, disinformation by journalists and bloggers as well as lack of fact checking have downplayed the ability to get factual news.
He however suggested ways by which
fake news could be detected in reports. This include investigating media-related content whether photographs, video, audio before publication and broadcasting them to the audience, the use of technological tools to verify veracity of pictures and logos.
Lasisi posited that all the aforementioned would strengthen the credibility of journalism in the long run.
The event which took at the auditorium of Bola Ajibola College of Law of the institution was graced by dignitaries like the Head of department Mass communication, Crescent University, Dr. Kola Adesina,Head of Broadcast Unit, Dr. Ayo Odetoyinbo, Dr. Anthony Orebiyi, Dr. Ganiu Okunnu, Mr. Jamiu Folarin and Mrs. Bolanle Ismail.
Also present at the event are the University Public Relations Officer, Mr Idris Katib, students from department of political science, Bola Ajibola College of Law and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State respectively.
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