Experts Caution Journalists on Using Media To Fuel Crisis With Fake Reports

As part of the activities to celebrate World Television Day, some experts have told journalists to desist from any information capable of indicting the nation, saying that information dissemination needs thorough fact-checking before sending it to the public for consumption.

Eddy Aina, who was a former director National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and public affairs analyst gave the warning on Tuesday while speaking at the year’s celebration held in Iwe Iroyin Abeokuta, organised by the Consolidated Chapel of Ogun NUJ under the leadership of Comr. Segun Olugoka.

Aina spoke on the theme, Television: A Strategic Tool For Conflict Management and Nation Building, and with the sub-theme Space For Information Access In Nigeria.

While praising the media for its timeliness and efforts in exposing societal ills, the former NBC director advised them to constantly do fact-checking before sharing information for public consumption.

In her keynote speech, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, CEO of 91.7 WFM Radio, represented by Esther Alaribe, the program asserted that the media must continue to be objective, open, and responsible in delivering accurate and trustworthy information in any circumstances.

“The media in Nigeria faces various challenges, such as limited press freedom, government censorship, and threats to journalists’ safety, especially female journalists. In recent times, there have been issues of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. These challenges hinder the media’s ability to provide accurate and unbiased information to the public, the fear of government censorship, such as the suspension of media outlets, restrictions on reporting certain topics, and the intimidation of journalists through various means even litigation.

“These actions limit the freedom of the press and hinder the flow of information to the public but it is important to also note that we need to promote transparency and ensure that the media can operate independently without fear of censorship.

She underlined the need to consider the growth and development of the media adding that the media must represent the humanity, variety, and aspirations of the populace.

In the same development, Comr. Olusegun Olukoga, the chairman of the Consolidated Chapel, encouraged media practitioners to embrace fact-checking and work as agents of accurate information

“ Journalists should be an agent of the right information because these days some doesn’t verify the information before putting it out there.

“ I want to encourage all to verify and re-verify and even fact-check information before you dish it out to the public because once it comes from a known journalist it is presumed to be authentic.

“ So that we don’t mislead the public” he concluded.

Meanwhile, awards of outstanding excellent leadership were presented to the SSG of Ogun state, Tokunbo Talabi, the SA on Information and strategy, Kayode Akinmade, NUJ chairman Comr. Wale Olarenwaju, former Chairman of the chapel, Comr. Kezeem Olowe who is a senior correspondent at the TVC, the CEO of Pelican Valley, Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo, and National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Comr. Arabambi and others.