By Gabriel Ameh
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has challenged journalists and media practitioners to uphold professionalism, credibility and ethical standards in reporting amid the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
The Minister made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the maiden Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards 2026, held as part of activities marking the 10th anniversary of Emporium Magazine and the unveiling of its Special Commemorative Anniversary Edition.
The event, organised by Royal Prince Media Services, attracted senior government officials, media executives, security chiefs, civil society organisations and development partners. The lecture was themed: “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role in Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy.”
Represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, the Minister said the rapid growth of digital media has expanded access to information but also heightened the spread of false information, making responsible journalism more important than ever.
He urged journalists to distinguish themselves through accuracy, fact-checking, fairness and context in news reporting despite the increasing influence of social media and citizen journalism.
According to Idris, public trust in the media depends on its commitment to truth and ethical reporting. He also cautioned journalists against linking criminal activities to a person’s ethnicity or religion, warning that such reporting fuels prejudice and undermines national unity.
The Minister described the media as a critical pillar of democracy, noting that responsible journalism remains essential in promoting accountability, transparency and informed public discourse.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare, represented by Jonathan Tamari, commended Royal Prince Media Services for sustaining a platform that celebrates leadership, excellence and public service.
He said the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards has continued to recognise individuals and organisations making meaningful contributions to national development while encouraging excellence within the media profession.
Earlier, Convener of the event and Publisher of Emporium Magazine, Lukman Laleye Babalola, described the ceremony as a celebration of ten years of purposeful journalism dedicated to accountability, excellence and nation-building.
Babalola said the lecture’s theme reflects the urgent need for digital media practitioners to move beyond the pursuit of online traffic and instead embrace truth, fairness, professionalism and responsible communication.
He explained that the annual lecture provides an opportunity for policymakers, journalists, regulators, security agencies and civil society organisations to develop practical solutions for strengthening democracy through credible journalism.
The event also featured the presentation of the Emporium Leadership Awards to distinguished Nigerians and organisations in recognition of their contributions to leadership, governance, media development, security, business, human capital development and social impact.
Among the award recipients were Assistant Corps Commander John Onoja, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Adekunle Balogun, Dr Wisdom Enang, Fame Foundation, Comrade Grace Ike, Dr Innocent Odey, Ambrose Omordion and Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
