By Hassan Male Kankara
A five member team from the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has paid a courtesy visit on the management of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic this Tuesday 24th Oct. 2023 as part of preparation for Fack checking training for 25 students selected from the Ddepartment of Mass Communication scheduled to hold between Wed. 25th-26th Oct. 2023.
In her address, the team leader and Editor of ICIR Bamas Victoria said the aim of the training was to build the capacity of the students on techniques of countering misinformation and equipping them with media literacy skills.
Victoria noted that, the ICIR has conducted several of this training at different campuses around the country to bridge the gap between the Journalism practice and the theory through capacity building and mentorship.
According to her, a Campus Fack check Club will be established after the exercise to provide avenue for students to work directly with ICIR in the aspects of online verification of claims.
The activities of the fact check Club will also be under the supervision of two lecturers from the department.
In his welcome address, the Rector of the institution Dr. Aminu Kalla Doro represented by the Director College of Environmental Studies, Dr. Sani Ibrahim Yar’adu’a appreciated the ICIR for selecting the institution, assuring the readiness of the management to provide the supports needed for the success of the two day engagement.
Other speakers who underscored the importance of the training and equally thanked the ICIR for the gesture were the school registrar Mal. Ishaq Alti, two former heads of Mass communication dept. Muhammad Bashir Usman, P.hD, and Samaila Balarabe P.hD, as well as Mal. Hassan Male.
Highlights of the visit include a donation of 10 copies of books on Countering Misinformation about COVID-19 by the visitors to the school as well as a brief assessment visit of the proposed venue for the training.