By Gabriel Ameh
Media professionals have raised renewed concerns over the growing threats confronting journalism in Nigeria, warning that misinformation, unregulated online content, and the absence of legal protection for reporters pose significant risks to the country’s democratic stability.
Speaking at the 2025 NUJ FCT Capacity Building Programme for Information and Media Officers in Keffi, former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, said the information ecosystem has become dangerously exposed due to the proliferation of digital tools and the dominance of non-professionals in content creation
Isiguzo lamented that social media influencers and citizen journalists now shape public narratives without gatekeeping, accuracy checks or ethical standards, creating what he described as a “chaotic environment” where misinformation spreads unchecked.
“We must take back the information space,” he said. “Digital tools are now available to everyone, and many who lack the discipline of the profession are churning out damaging narratives. Professionals must occupy these spaces to restore order.”
Describing misinformation as a “fifth wave of mayhem,” he warned that its consequences could become even more dangerous if journalists are not adequately protected by law.
“There is no legislation safeguarding journalism practice in Nigeria,” he noted. “If democracy is deprived of credible information, it becomes toxic and weak. Journalists bear a constitutional duty of accountability, yet they operate under fear — fear of harassment, intimidation, arrest, or worse.”
Isiguzo emphasised that legal protection is essential for journalists to function without fear and to contribute meaningfully to democratic governance.
Delivering her keynote address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the capacity-building programme underscores the Union’s commitment to strengthening professionalism within Nigeria’s communication landscape.
She highlighted the fast-changing nature of the media environment, noting that information speed now surpasses policy implementation, making strategic communication more critical than ever.
“We live in an era where a single headline or video can redefine an institution,” Ike said. “The role of information officers has expanded. It now includes strategy, crisis management, digital engagement and narrative shaping. Training is therefore not optional it is foundational.”
She urged participants to take full advantage of the programme, stressing that continuous learning remains the lifeline of relevance in modern communication.
“When we invest in training, we elevate our institutions’ credibility,” she added.
In her goodwill message, Head of Corporate Communications at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, represented by Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunde Akpeji, said the workshop was designed to strengthen professional capacity and equip public information officers with the skills needed to communicate effectively in a fast-changing digital environment.
He noted that the NCC considers its personnel its greatest asset, adding that improved competence is crucial for safeguarding critical national information infrastructure.
The programme, themed “Enhancing Public Image, Strategic Communication and Media Visibility in the Digital Era,” is part of the broader initiative of the NUJ FCT to improve ethical standards, strengthen government communication, and ensure that journalists and information officers remain credible guardians of public interest amid rising misinformation threats.
The event also featured experts including the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mr. Stanley Azuka Ogadigo; Deputy Director of the International Institute of Journalism, Mr. Nicholas Igwenagu; Dr. Simon Sheyigar of Federal University Lokoja; and Mr. Victor Habila Alaka, who all delivered sessions on reputation building and effective public relations practice.
