For years, the conventional wisdom suggested that Nigeria’s battle against the rising tide of disinformation could only be won through state-mandated regulations or the technical oversight of global tech giants. Yet, a grassroots movement known as the “Kano Model” is flipping this script, arguing that the most effective defense against the manipulation of truth isn’t found in a government office or a server farm, but within the walls of churches, mosques, and traditional palaces. This initiative, spearheaded by the Hausa verification platform Alkalanci, treats media literacy not as a secular academic pursuit, but as a critical, community-led responsibility. By equipping…

The digital age has ushered in an era where information—and misinformation—travels at the speed of a single click. A recent, startling claim surfaced on the social media account @IrnaEnglish, alleging that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, had been martyred. The post went as far as to describe an emotional funeral procession, claiming his casket was being carried by mourners at the sacred Hazrat Abbas shrine in Iraq. For many, this was a moment of profound shock. However, it is essential to set the record straight: the Ayatollah is very much alive. The report was an entirely baseless fabrication,…