CDD unveils “war room” for tackling disinformation ahead of 2023 elections

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), on Friday, unveiled an Election “War Room” for tackling disinformation, misinformation and the activities of bad actors ahead of the 2023 general elections.

CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Hassan said that Africa’s largest democracy is going into what many hope would be the country’s turning point election.

“As part of its mandate to help the nation deliver free, fair and credible elections, CDD’s Election War Room will play an important role in making this election free from the narrative influence of bad actors.

“On a weekly basis, our team of detailed, vibrant, and tech-savvy youths will publish a brief about our findings within the disinformation and fact-checking ecosystem in Nigeria.

“This will educate the public on how the ecosystem works and what processes the bad actors use in an attempt to shape election narratives and possible voting patterns.

“The team already monitors all political players, news organisations, security agencies, fact-checkers, electoral umpire and all other stakeholders,” she said.

The director said that the organisation’s weekly briefs would arm Nigerians with verifiable information on possible points of misinformation and disinformation.

She said it would also provide insight into controversial and contentious issues; and prepare citizens for expected waves of disinformation within the political arena.