Key Points
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Cleric urges journalists to uphold truth in reporting.
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Media leaders warn against fake news and manipulation.
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Public trust depends on accuracy and professional ethics.
A senior Nigerian cleric has told journalists to stick to the truth and follow professional ethics when they write. He said that false information and sensationalism are making people less trusting and making democracy less stable.
Reverend Dr. Matthew Adedayo, a regional leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), spoke at the annual Media and Democracy Forum in Abuja on Sunday. Editors, reporters, and civil society groups all came to the event to talk about the press’s role in fighting false information before Nigeria’s next election cycle.
Cleric urges journalists to uphold truth
“Truth is the soul of journalism,” Reverend Adedayo told those who were there. “Once the media stops telling the truth, it stops caring about the people.” Journalism becomes propaganda without truth, and propaganda destroys societies.
According to a report by the Punch news, Adedayo said that journalists should not let politicians or money get in the way of their work. He gave examples from the past where false reports made things worse, such as the violence after the 2011 elections that killed hundreds of people. He told reporters that what they do has a direct effect on Nigeria’s global reputation, public trust, and policy making.
The role of the media in democracy is being looked at closely
Eze Anaba, president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), also spoke at the event and agreed with what the cleric said. He said that social media sites are powerful but have also become places where fake news spreads. Anaba said, “The challenge for professional journalists is to rise above the noise and give people verified, reliable information.”
He gave recent examples of false information that went viral, like false reports about the end of fuel subsidies in mid-2023. These reports caused panic buying and protests across the country before government officials made things clear.
Adedayo also told reporters to make their accountability reporting stronger. He talked about the work of investigative sites like Premium Times and the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), saying that their fact-based stories show how the media can serve the public good without bias or favour.
Being honest builds trust in the public
Experts say that people are losing faith in Nigerian news outlets. A Reuters Institute survey from 2023 found that only 43% of Nigerians trust the news most of the time, down from 51% in 2020.
Adedayo said that rebuilding that trust requires a lot of training for younger reporters and money spent on fact-checking in the newsroom. He said, “The public needs the truth, not show.” “Journalists must see themselves as protectors of the truth, because only the truth can keep democracy alive.”
