Lagos: International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, context, and verification in reporting migration issues amid rising misinformation and disinformation online. The IOM Senior Media and Communication Officer, Mr. Ada-Affana Xavier, highlighted these points during a three-day training programme on Ethical and Data-Driven Reporting on Migration in Nigeria, organised by the organisation in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Xavier stressed that the media holds a crucial responsibility to challenge false narratives and ensure that accurate, balanced, and factual information reaches the public consistently. He explained that the advent of the internet and social media has transformed individuals into publishers and content creators, which has accelerated information dissemination beyond traditional verification processes.
Xavier pointed out that in contrast to the past, when editors and journalists served as gatekeepers of information, virtually anyone with internet access can now publish news content. This shift has led to rumours and misleading narratives spreading rapidly online, making fact-checking, verification, and contextual reporting more vital for media practitioners.
He described public trust as journalism’s most valuable asset, urging media professionals to maintain credibility through accurate, balanced, and responsible reporting practices. The communication expert noted that social media algorithms increasingly shape public perception, often giving greater visibility to emotionally-charged content over factual information.
Xavier warned that the pressure to publish quickly on digital platforms should never outweigh the need for accuracy, verification, and adherence to professional standards. He explained that migration reporting requires nuance and context because issues pertaining to migration are complex and often distorted through over-simplified narratives and stereotypes.
He added that content designed to provoke fear, anger, or outrage often attracts more engagement online, despite lacking context or factual accuracy. Xavier emphasized that journalists must explain complexities, provide context, and avoid amplifying harmful stereotypes while promoting media literacy to help audiences identify misinformation.