Media stakeholders in Oyo State have identified fake news and AI-generated misinformation as major threats to society, urging journalists, bloggers, and citizens to verify facts before sharing content to protect public safety and maintain trust in the media.
The call was made at a seminar organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Oyo State Council with the theme “Responsible Reporting in the Era of Insecurity and Fake News” at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
NUJ Chairman in Oyo State, Mr. Akeem Abas, said false information makes it difficult for the public to distinguish truth from falsehood.
“Unchecked stories can cause panic, disrupt peaceful communities, and threaten public health,” Abas said. He urged the public to verify news and check original sources before sharing online content.
He said journalism remains a powerful tool for building societies, promoting peace, exposing corruption, and strengthening democracy, but warned that the media space is increasingly infiltrated by “fake news merchants, conflict entrepreneurs, bloggers without ethical training, and social media propagandists”.
Former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, urged journalists to hold government accountable on security and protection of lives and property. He said journalists must act as gatekeepers to filter fake news and uphold truth.
Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Ibadan, Mr. Adebayo Sekoni, said insecurity threatens life and property, and journalists must be cautious in reporting. He said the responsibility rests on reporters to verify the factuality of stories, especially in conflict situations.
General Manager, New Frontier Television, Rev. Eben Durodola, cautioned journalists to verify official government releases, warning that not all such statements are authentic. He said government should regulate social media while media literacy should be introduced in schools.
Deputy Director of Programmes, Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station, Rev. Niyi Daunsi, said fake news contributes significantly to insecurity and social instability, and undermines journalism’s core values. He urged professional journalists to lead efforts against misinformation by verifying information and publishing factual reports to counter false narratives.
The seminar attracted journalists, media executives, legal practitioners, security experts, communication scholars, and other stakeholders who discussed challenges posed by insecurity, fake news, digital misinformation, and implications of the Cybercrime Act for journalism practice in Nigeria.
