Thirty candidates have been shortlisted to participate in the second cohort of the ROUNDCHECK Volunteer program, a project under the volunteer network of the organization dedicated to training youths on fact-checking.

The first cohort of the program started with 15 candidates from March to July 2022.

The candidates were trained on access to free tools, and opportunities, as well as certified with a recognized certificate by the Africa Facts Network.

The selected candidates for the second cohort of the Roundcheck Volunteer Program are, Mohammed Oluwatimileyin, Ogunsanmi Kolade, Adebayo Miracle, Adewale Odunayo, Abdulganiyu Abdurahman, Zariat Ayoade, Kehinde Ayanboade, Daud Olatunji, Hussain Wahab, Ololade Owosho.

Also selected are, Quadri Yahya, Taiwo Adeola, Chika Igba, Caroline Ameh, Egwu Linus, Taiwo Babatunde, Mayamiko(Malawi), Peace Oladipo, Fawaz Adebisi, Abdulhakim Junaid,

Other candidates selected are Oyetunde Oni, Goodness Adaoyiche, Ofure Ehizogie, Olatunji Oluwayomi, Muhammed Bello, Nwobi Valentine, Abdulrasheed Abdulkareem, Temiloluwa Erinle, Fatimah Idera and Patrick Mutisya (Kenya).

The Communication Manager and Head of Volunteer Network, Faith Alofe, explained that ROUNDCHECK will train the volunteers for four months on what it entails to be a fact-checker and provide them with necessary mentorship.

Alofe noted that many media messages needed to be fact-checked, hence, volunteers would learn the act and basis of fact-checking.

“They would also learn what it takes to be a fact checker as many opportunities will be available within ROUNDCHECK and outside it,” she added

The ROUNDCHECK Volunteer Network was created in March 2022 with the objective of training youths on how to combat false information.

The training will bring together veteran fact-checkers and fact-checking journalists to share ideas and mentor the volunteers.