2023 Elections: Fake News & Fact Checking Ft. Lanre Olagunju

Our Guest Lanre Olagunju was quizzed by our Host Oshodi-Tapa about the agenda going on by members of different political groups to de-market their opposition candidates, and also about the 2023 general election is a battle between the young vs the old. Lanre likens the situation to a popular musician’s masterpiece, Asa’s fire on the mountain. He says he hopes the fire can be put out and further states that there is no need for a battle, the only requirement is synergy between the old and young.

Subsequently, Oshodi-Tapa asked Lanre when Nigerians will be united for a cause as against vested interest. Lanre on the other hand had to admit that was a big question, he stated that from the history of Nigeria, we’ve always seen ourselves as a divided people. He states that politically and ethnically, we are the most divided people. He further went ahead to say when people go to the market, the prices remain the same for all ethnic backgrounds.

Without a doubt, Lanre vividly explained his thoughts on fake news. He goes on to tell to enlighten his listeners that many people think fake news just started, he also lists the type of fake news, which are:

· Misinformation,

· Disinformation, &

· Malinformation.

In addition to this, he explains that misinformation is a piece of information that has no intention to mislead you. Disinformation is a deliberate decision on falsehood. While Malinformation is saying libelous things against people or organizations. The Host also inquires about the motivation behind people creating false stories, which also leads to what fact-checking is about. Lanre goes ahead to tell the audience that the motivation behind sharing disinformation could be related to political reasons and economic reasons among others. Mr. Lanre highlights his discovery on the popular social media app, Facebook, making his claim that many Facebook accounts have been built around fake news to gather more followership and engagements, the owners of these accounts then sell these accounts during the election period to different political parties which they use to share political content. Sometimes, people create fake news and spread this news to become famous.

In conclusion, Oshodi asked the Guest how people can fact-check the promises politicians are going to make in the forthcoming election. Lanre on the other hand stated that Nigerians must hold public office holders accountable, he reiterates that the days whereby being unable to ask the elderly ones to be accountable are gone, and right now information can not be dumped on Nigerians anymore because people are asking questions.