Spanish group, Fact Check Nigeria train journalists on indigenous-language reporting

A Spanish organisation, Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas (FIAP), and Fact Check Nigeria have educated journalists on reporting electoral points in indigenous languages forward of Nigeria’s 2027 common election.

The coaching, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, targeted on addressing translation gaps and different language-related challenges that might have an effect on the accuracy and inclusiveness of electoral info reaching numerous communities.

The three-day programme, which ran from 13 to 16 October, was the primary of a two-part southern and northern collection, with the second half scheduled to carry in Abuja.

The workshop, organised beneath the European Union Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, introduced collectively journalists from completely different media platforms and states, together with Lagos, Enugu, Edo and Oyo.

FIAP is a Spanish public-sector organisation that specialises in selling public administration by worldwide cooperation programmes and initiatives.

Closing translation gaps

Mustapha Lawal, an official with Fact Check Nigeria, in his opening handle stated the intention of the programme is to train media professionals to supply correct and inclusive electoral protection in indigenous languages forward of the upcoming elections.

Mr Lawal famous that the programme will handle the “translation gap” and nuances misplaced when translating English electoral phrases into native languages.

He stated contributors will create an unofficial language register to standardise electoral terminology throughout varied indigenous languages.

“This three-day workshop is to help us see how we can come together to create an official language register, not particularly officially, but a step to making it official across many different languages that we have in the room,” Mr Lawal stated.

He stated they may even work collectively to enhance the accuracy of reporting to stop misinformation and disinformation brought on by poor translation.

Mr Lawal emphasised that the contributors will guarantee inclusive reporting that respects susceptible communities and avoids unintended offence by linguistic nuance.

During the three-day coaching, media professionals had been taken by indigenous language ecosystems, electoral ideas and terminologies, misinformation and verification, and electoral glossary and elegance sheets.

Also, contributors had sensible classes the place they translated real-world electoral info into their native languages, together with Yoruba, Ibibio and Igbo.

The facilitators minimize throughout tutorial and media organisations together with Nsikak Idiong, a professor of journalism, political communication and media research from the University of Uyo.

Participants converse

Kingsley Alozie, a contract journalist, expressed enjoyment of taking part within the programme to scrutinise electoral reportage.

Theresa Donatus, a journalist with the Daily Times, famous that her reporting will assist residents make knowledgeable decisions about their civic duties.

READ ALSO: National Security: CDS urges journalists to combat AI-generated fake news

“One of my key takeaways is that effective electoral communication goes beyond sharing information; it requires accuracy, context, inclusiveness, and responsibility,” Ms Donatus stated.

Also, Ezinne Alozie, a broadcast journalist with Darling FM, stated language is a “universal currency and a form of identity.”

She stated it is necessary that when info is handed by any means, it’s thoughly factchecked.