The partnership between the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy, WABMA, and Texas Southern University, TSU, is moving up a notch as WABMA’s Rector, Dr. Ken Ike Okere has been scheduled to speak at the 42nd Intercultural and Communication Conference of the American university’s School of Communication, which holds from April 8 to 12 in Houston.
Okere’s invitation cements a partnership between the academy and the university which began last year.
According to an announcement by TSU’s School of Communication regarding the 42nd Communication Week events, Dr. Okere will lead an interactive workshop on Fact Checking & Detecting Misinformation.
Students and participants will have the opportunity to examine the intricacies of misinformation in today’s digital landscape and gain practical skills for fact-checking and verifying information.
The collaboration between WABMA and Texas Southern University began in 2023 when the Dean of the university’s School of Communication, Prof. Chris Ulasi visited Nigeria as WABMA’s lead instructor in the United States Consulate-sponsored Political Journalism Project, where reporters, editors, photojournalists, and videographers were trained on political reporting ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections.
“We are thrilled to partner with the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy to expand educational opportunities in journalism and communication,” said Prof. Ulasi, adding that the forthcoming Communication Week, “is a period when Texas Southern University and the School of Communication come together to showcase the incredible talent in the school as students interact with industry professionals who bring them latest innovations and trends in the field of communications.”
The conference, with the theme, ‘Amplifying Diverse Voices in Media and Communication,’ will explore topics with cultural, political, economic, and social implications as well as expose participants to communication dynamics.
Ken Okere, who is an alumnus of Texas Southern University, has a Ph.D. in Mass Communication and over 25 years of successful media and communication career in radio, TV, print, and digital media. He is the publisher and editor of the WABMA Debunker, a multi-platform news project focused on combating misinformation and upholding journalistic integrity in the digital age.
“We are excited to collaborate with Texas Southern University’s School of Communication in advancing media literacy. Together we can make a meaningful impact by enriching the learning experiences of students and professionals with industry-relevant knowledge”, Okere said.
