By Stella Obi
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerian editors and journalists to strengthen their commitment to accurate reporting, thorough fact-checking and responsible journalism, particularly as the country prepares for future elections.
Shettima made the call at the All Nigeria Editors Conference, holding in Enugu from Sept. 23 to 27, with the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
The Vice President said the media has a critical responsibility to protect democracy by ensuring that citizens have access to accurate, credible and reliable information. He stressed the need for journalists to prioritise verification and fact-checking, especially as misinformation and disinformation continue to spread rapidly across digital platforms.
Also speaking at the conference, Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, urged journalists to strengthen investigative journalism, verify information before publication and remain committed to the truth.
Mbah expressed concern over the increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce convincing but false photographs, voices, videos and allegations, warning of the potential impact of such content on public trust and democratic processes.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, also urged Nigerian editors to contribute to the protection of democracy by defending the truth, promoting ethical journalism and tackling AI-generated disinformation.
Similarly, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, called for reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system and ensuring that democracy better reflects the interests of citizens.
Onaiyekan proposed reforms including a new process for appointing officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, specialised electoral tribunals, stronger legal rights for voters to challenge election results and the conclusion of major election petitions before elected officials assume office.
Stella Obi is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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