Africans must mitigate effects of disinformation – Don

Mr Ukertor Moti, a Professor of Public Sector Management and Governance at the University of Abuja, has advised Africans to take significant steps to mitigate the effects of disinformation.Moti gave the advice while addressing participants at a three-day regional conference funded by Global Affairs Canada, held in Ikeja.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regional conference aims at promoting partnerships and amplifying truth to safeguard democratic institutions and processes.The conference was first held in Monrovia in July 2023.Wednesday's conference had the theme: 'Countering Disinformation and Hate Speech in West Africa'.It was organised by the Centre for Democracy and Development, West Africa, with the support of the National Democratic Institute.According to Moti, disinformation and hate speech destabilise a system.He said that the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) had led to both innovations and challenges particularly in information integrity.He urged that the challenges should be thoughtfully addressed.Moti said that it was necessary to effectively address multi-faceted challenges posed by Al-enabled misinformation and disinformation.He, therefore, advocated collaborations among stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers and technology companies, to address challenges posed by disinformation.'It is important to foster a global understanding and cooperation to tackle the spread of false information facilitated by the rise of man-made content and Al technologies.'Through enhanced collaborations, innovations and regulations, we can harness the benefits of AI while safeguarding against its risks.'Let us ensure a future where technology uplifts rather than undermines public trust and democratic values, ' he said.The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, said that disinformation and hate speech eroded trust, incited violence and polarised communities.Ebuebu, who was represented by Mr Raphael Akpan, the NB C Lagos Zonal Director, said that it was imperative to counter the threats with vigilance, integrity and steadfast commitment to truth.He called for collaborations to develop innovative strategies and implement effective measures to combat the spread of false information.Ebuebu said that countering disinformation and hate speech was crucial for trust, community cohesion and protection of the society.He said: 'With vigilance, integrity and commitment to truth, NBC believes that a healthier and more responsible media environment can be achieved in West Africa.'Source: News Agency of Nigeria