Claire Mom, a journalist with TheCable, has won the 2023 Africa fact-checking award.
The 10th edition of the Africa Check fact-checking award was held on Friday in Mauritius.
The award was organised by Africa Check, an organisation set up to promote accuracy in African media and improve the quality of information disseminated across the continent.
The award had participants from various African countries and winners were announced in three categories: fact-check of the year by a working journalist, fact-check of the year by a student journalist, and fact-check of the year by a professional fact-checker.
Claire is the first Nigerian female reporter to be named the runner-up for the working journalist category of the award.
She won the award with her detailed report on how an anonymous Facebook user incited violence by spreading false information.
In the report, she exposed the activities of an “anonymous” Facebook account sharing false information about bribery involving President Bola Tinubu.
Commenting on the award, she said the event was held at a time when hate speech was inciting violence among Nigerians, adding that it is crucial to check all information disseminated to the public.
“The fact check was done at a time when the United Kingdom and the National Human Rights Commission expressed concerns that hate speech and misinformation was fueling violence in Nigeria,” she said.
“I am thankful to Africa Check for the recognition. It kind of validates the important work we are doing at TheCable and I am hopeful we will achieve more.
“I would say every journalist should be a fact checker because it is important we don’t end up feeding citizens who rely on us for correct information, false statements. The facts matter.”
See the list of the winners below
PROFESSIONAL FACT-CHECKERS IN AFRICA
Winner: James Okong’o & Mary Kulundu (AFP fact check)
Runner up : Kemi Busari (Dubawa)
WORKING JOURNALIST
Winner: Moussa Ngom & Laureline Savoye from Les Reporter Sn and Le Monde Afrique
Runner up: Claire Mom
STUDENT JOURNALIST
Winner: Papa Bocar Mbow from CESTI DAKAR
Runners-up: Komagal Chocalingum, Georges Aurore & Permalloo Suhaasinee all from Uni Of Mauritius
Source: Top Stories