Abuja:Nigerian journalism is currently grappling with a credibility crisis driven by disinformation on digital platforms such as WhatsApp, X, and TikTok. Reporters are finding that prioritizing speed over verification can not only harm a newsroom’s credibility but also expose media organizations to legal risks and contribute to tensions in conflict-prone areas.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Premium Times Academy, in collaboration with conflict scholars, recently organized a seminar addressing these challenges. The event highlighted the evolving role of journalists from traditional gatekeepers to active ‘gate-checkers.’ A key focus was the issue of ethnic profiling in news reporting, with experts warning against using ethnicity as a shortcut for judgment. This practice can exacerbate tensions, especially in Nigeria, where ethnic identity often intersects with political and social issues.
The seminar also addressed the growing reliance on social media for breaking news, cautioning against the use o
f user-generated content without proper verification. Facilitators emphasized the importance of obtaining permissions for using such content and highlighted the potential legal risks related to copyright, privacy, and defamation. They recommended using the ‘ACCEPT’ test to guide ethical reporting and urged journalists to verify social media accounts through established channels.
Additionally, the seminar explored the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, which has lowered the barrier for creating fake content. Journalists were advised to scrutinize the authenticity of material and corroborate information independently rather than relying solely on AI detection tools. Free verification tools like Google Reverse Image Search and FotoForensics were suggested to aid in this process.
Experts also discussed the need for a broader understanding of conflict reporting, urging journalists to look beyond violent manifestations and consider the underlying causes and dynamics. Reliable data and evidence-based rep
orting were emphasized as crucial for credible journalism, especially in humanitarian contexts. Historical examples from Rwanda, Kenya, and Sierra Leone were cited to illustrate how media narratives can influence political and communal tensions.
Overall, the seminar underscored the importance of balancing speed with accuracy in digital journalism, advising Nigerian journalists to verify information before publication to maintain credibility in today’s complex information landscape.