Deadline: 24-Jun-2026
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) is inviting applications from Nigerian journalists, editors, and media professionals for a specialized training program focused on combating electoral disinformation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The workshop will equip participants with advanced fact-checking, verification, and digital investigation skills, including techniques for detecting AI-generated content, deepfakes, and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Organized in collaboration with Casa África and the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria, the two-day intensive workshop combines expert-led training with practical exercises to help media professionals navigate the growing challenges of misinformation, synthetic media, and AI-driven information manipulation.
What Is the CJID Electoral Disinformation and AI Verification Workshop?
The CJID Electoral Disinformation and AI Verification Workshop is a professional development program designed to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian journalists and media practitioners to identify, investigate, verify, and counter false information related to elections.
As digital misinformation becomes increasingly sophisticated, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence and synthetic media, the workshop aims to equip participants with practical tools and methodologies for responsible and accurate reporting.
The training focuses on preparing journalists for the information challenges expected ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
About the Organizers
The workshop is organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in partnership with:
- Casa África
- The Embassy of Spain in Nigeria
The collaboration brings together expertise in journalism, media development, fact-checking, and international cooperation to support stronger information integrity and election reporting.
Program Objectives
The workshop aims to help journalists:
- Understand modern electoral disinformation tactics
- Strengthen fact-checking and verification skills
- Identify AI-generated and manipulated content
- Detect deepfakes and synthetic media
- Analyze misinformation narratives during elections
- Improve newsroom verification practices
- Enhance digital investigation capabilities
- Build resilience against coordinated disinformation campaigns
- Promote accurate and responsible election reporting
Key Focus Areas
The training covers several critical areas related to information integrity, journalism, and election reporting.
Electoral Disinformation Ecosystems
Participants will explore how electoral misinformation and disinformation spread across digital platforms and influence public opinion.
Topics include:
- Election-related misinformation trends
- Information manipulation tactics
- Online influence operations
- Political disinformation networks
- Digital propaganda strategies
Fact-Checking Methodologies
The workshop introduces structured approaches to verifying claims and assessing the credibility of information sources.
Participants will learn:
- Fact-checking principles
- Evidence-based verification techniques
- Source evaluation methods
- Claim assessment frameworks
- Verification best practices
Verification Workflows
Journalists will gain practical experience in building reliable verification processes that can be applied in newsroom environments.
Areas covered include:
- Verification planning
- Information validation
- Cross-referencing sources
- Evidence collection
- Documentation and reporting procedures
AI-Generated Content Detection
Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to create convincing but misleading content.
Participants will learn how to:
- Identify AI-generated text
- Detect synthetic images
- Analyze manipulated audio
- Assess AI-created media
- Recognize signs of automated content generation
Deepfake Detection
The workshop provides practical guidance on identifying deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media.
Topics include:
- Deepfake identification techniques
- Video authenticity assessment
- Audio manipulation detection
- Visual inconsistencies analysis
- Digital forensic approaches
Coordinated Disinformation Campaigns
Participants will explore how organized actors use digital platforms to spread false information and manipulate public conversations.
Training includes:
- Campaign detection methods
- Network analysis concepts
- Coordinated behavior indicators
- Influence operation strategies
- Case studies from real-world events
Understanding Nigeria’s Information Environment Ahead of the 2027 Elections
A key component of the workshop focuses on Nigeria’s evolving media and information landscape.
Participants will examine:
- Election-related information risks
- Emerging misinformation trends
- Social media influence on elections
- Public trust and information integrity
- Challenges facing journalists during election periods
The program uses real Nigerian examples and case studies to provide practical and locally relevant learning experiences.
Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
The workshop explores both the opportunities and risks associated with AI technologies in modern journalism.
Opportunities of AI in Newsrooms
Potential benefits include:
- Faster research processes
- Data analysis support
- Content organization
- Audience engagement insights
- Improved workflow efficiency
Risks of AI in Journalism
Participants will also examine:
- AI-generated misinformation
- Synthetic media threats
- Ethical concerns
- Accuracy challenges
- Verification requirements
The goal is to help journalists use AI responsibly while maintaining high standards of accuracy and accountability.
Practical Verification Techniques Covered
The workshop includes hands-on training in modern verification tools and methods.
Image Verification and Analysis
Participants will learn techniques for:
- Reverse image searches
- Metadata analysis
- Image authenticity checks
- Context verification
- Visual investigation methods
Video Verification
Training includes:
- Video source verification
- Frame-by-frame analysis
- Content authentication techniques
- Manipulation detection methods
Geolocation Techniques
Participants will develop skills in:
- Location verification
- Geographic analysis
- Mapping tools
- Open-source intelligence techniques
- Digital investigation workflows
Case-Based Learning
The program incorporates practical exercises using:
- Real Nigerian misinformation examples
- Election-related case studies
- Verification simulations
- Fact-checking exercises
- Investigative scenarios
Workshop Format
The program is delivered as a two-day intensive training workshop.
Key features include:
- Expert-led sessions
- Interactive learning activities
- Practical verification exercises
- Real-world case studies
- Group discussions
- Hands-on digital investigation training
- Applied fact-checking exercises
This structure ensures participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Who Is Eligible?
The workshop is open to media professionals interested in strengthening their verification and fact-checking capabilities.
Eligible participants include:
- Journalists
- Editors
- Newsroom professionals
- Digital reporters
- Fact-checkers
- Media practitioners
- Investigative journalists
- Multimedia journalists
Applicants should have an interest in:
- Election reporting
- Fact-checking
- Digital verification
- Media integrity
- Combating misinformation
- Responsible journalism
Why This Workshop Matters
The rise of artificial intelligence, synthetic media, and coordinated misinformation campaigns has created new challenges for journalism worldwide.
The workshop helps media professionals:
- Improve reporting accuracy
- Strengthen public trust
- Counter false information
- Enhance election coverage
- Develop advanced verification skills
- Adapt to AI-driven information environments
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, these skills will become increasingly important for maintaining information integrity and supporting informed public discourse.
Benefits for Participants
Selected participants will gain:
- Advanced fact-checking skills
- AI verification knowledge
- Deepfake detection techniques
- Practical newsroom verification workflows
- Digital investigation experience
- Exposure to expert trainers
- Understanding of electoral disinformation tactics
- Access to real-world case studies
- Enhanced professional reporting skills
- Improved preparedness for election coverage
How to Apply
Step 1: Review Eligibility Requirements
Confirm that you are a journalist, editor, or media professional interested in strengthening your verification and fact-checking skills.
Step 2: Prepare Application Information
Gather any required professional details, including:
- Professional background
- Media affiliation
- Reporting experience
- Areas of journalistic interest
Step 3: Submit Your Application
Complete and submit the application according to the workshop guidelines and deadlines.
Step 4: Await Selection Results
Applications will be reviewed based on eligibility and the program’s objectives.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants can improve their chances by:
- Demonstrating interest in election reporting
- Highlighting fact-checking experience
- Showing commitment to accurate journalism
- Explaining how the training will support their work
- Providing relevant professional experience
- Demonstrating interest in combating misinformation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following application errors:
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Providing insufficient professional information
- Missing application deadlines
- Failing to explain your interest in verification and fact-checking
- Providing unclear or inaccurate information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the CJID Electoral Disinformation and AI Verification Workshop?
It is a specialized training program designed to help Nigerian journalists identify, verify, and counter electoral misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content.
Who is organizing the workshop?
The workshop is organized by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) in collaboration with Casa África and the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria.
Who can apply?
Journalists, editors, fact-checkers, and other media professionals are eligible to apply.
What topics will be covered?
The training covers electoral disinformation, fact-checking methodologies, verification workflows, AI-generated content detection, deepfakes, geolocation, and coordinated disinformation campaigns.
Does the workshop include practical training?
Yes. The program combines expert-led sessions with hands-on exercises, case studies, and practical verification activities.
Why is AI verification included in the training?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to create misleading content, making AI verification skills essential for modern journalism.
How long is the workshop?
The program is structured as a two-day intensive training workshop.
Conclusion
The CJID Electoral Disinformation and AI Verification Workshop provides Nigerian journalists with essential skills for reporting in an increasingly complex digital information environment. Through training in fact-checking, deepfake detection, AI verification, geolocation, and misinformation analysis, participants will be better equipped to identify false narratives and produce accurate, credible reporting.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, this initiative represents an important opportunity for journalists and media professionals to strengthen their verification capabilities, enhance public trust, and contribute to a more informed and resilient information ecosystem.
For more information, visit Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.
