EU-ECOWAS selects DNN FactCheck for election integrity support

DNN FactCheck, the verification platform of the Development News Network and Media Foundation, has been selected as one of only two Nigerian organisations to receive technical and technological support under a European Union-backed initiative aimed at strengthening election fact-checking and countering disinformation.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the support is being provided under the European Union Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance Project, implemented by the Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas in partnership with FactCheckAfrica.

According to the statement, DNN FactCheck and BONews emerged after a competitive assessment of fact-checking organisations across Nigeria, with the selection based on institutional capacity, governance standards, commitment to evidence-based journalism and readiness to deploy technology-driven verification.

The support package includes technical assistance, capacity building, technology upgrades and the deployment of advanced verification tools to strengthen newsroom operations and improve responses to election-related misinformation and disinformation.

It said the intervention would also enhance the organisation’s digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, website performance and accessibility, while providing specialised training in artificial intelligence, open-source intelligence, digital investigations and deepfake detection.

As part of the programme, DNN FactCheck will join a regional verification network designed to facilitate cross-border collaboration and information sharing among fact-checking organisations across West Africa.

Chairman of DNN’s Editorial Board, Lakan Otufodunrin, described the selection as a milestone in the organisation’s efforts to strengthen information integrity.

“We appreciate being selected for this support, which will enable us to effectively counter worrisome cases of disinformation, election violence and other related issues.

“As elections continue to evolve in the digital age, strengthening our technological and editorial capacity is essential to ensuring that citizens have access to accurate, verified and trustworthy information,” he said.

Editorial Director of DNN Media, Mayowa Adeniran, said the support would strengthen the organisation’s investigative and verification capabilities ahead of future elections.

“The world today has become complex, especially during election periods when misinformation and disinformation can undermine public confidence and democratic participation.

“This support will strengthen our technical capacity, expand our investigative capabilities, and enable us to deliver faster, accurate, and evidence-based fact-checks that serve the public interest,” Adeniran said.

Also commenting, a member of the Board of Directors of DNN Media Foundation, Wemimo Adewuni-Obiwale, said the selection reflected growing confidence in the organisation’s contribution to Nigeria’s information ecosystem.

“This partnership is a strong affirmation of DNN Media’s unwavering commitment to credible journalism, fact-checking, and strengthening the information ecosystem in Nigeria.

“At a time when misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech continue to threaten democratic processes and social cohesion, DNN is proud to be at the centre of shifting narratives and producing credible journalism,” she said.

According to the statement, the support comes as Nigeria prepares for future elections amid growing concerns over coordinated misinformation campaigns, manipulated digital content and the increasing use of artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes.

The initiative is part of the EU-backed regional programme designed to strengthen democratic governance, electoral integrity, peace and security across ECOWAS member states by supporting media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders combating disinformation.