CSO Conference on Fake News and Impact Awards

Drawing from his experience as a solutions journalist and Founder of Citizen Journalists Network (CJN Africa), Michael contributed practical perspectives on the growing threat of misinformation and the deliberate distortion of information in Nigeria's digital space. He noted that the manipulation of information often exploits existing religious, ethnic, and political divisions, with the potential to inflame tensions, deepen mistrust, and undermine social cohesion.

Speaking from years of work documenting social issues and amplifying grassroots voices, he emphasised the responsibility of citizens to exercise caution in the consumption and dissemination of information, encouraging individuals to pause, verify facts, and seek credible sources before sharing content. According to him, the speed at which information travels today makes personal responsibility an essential component of safeguarding public trust and national stability.

He also highlighted the role of citizen journalism and decentralised media in combating misinformation. He emphasised that one of the most effective ways to challenge false narratives is by creating pathways for firsthand accounts and community-based reporting from those closest to the issues. Through Citizen Journalists Network, he has consistently advocated for empowering ordinary citizens to become responsible contributors to the information ecosystem instead of consumers of news items, ensuring that public conversations are informed by lived realities rather than speculation, distortion, or sensationalism.

Michael's contribution reflected a philosophy that has shaped much of his work through Citizen Journalists Network: that the fight against misinformation cannot be won solely in newsrooms, boardrooms, or policy circles. It must also be won at the community level by equipping citizens to tell their own stories and in their own lenses.

_

About Michael Edem-Duke

Michael Edem-Duke is a Solutions Journalist, Public Policy Strategist, and Development Consultant. He is the Founder of Citizen Journalists Network (CJN Africa) and works at the intersection of leadership, public policy, research, media, and social development, designing solutions that strengthen public systems and and translating citizen-led insights into practical solutions to drive meaningful impact across Africa.