By Fatima Saka
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has charged journalists and media practitioners to uphold credibility, professionalism, and ethical standards in reporting, especially in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
Idris gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja at the maiden Emporium Leadership Lecture & Awards 2026, held alongside the unveiling of the Special 10th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Emporium Magazine, organised by Royal Prince Media Services.
The event, themed “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role in Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy,” brought together top government officials, media executives, security chiefs, civil society organisations, and development partners.
Represented by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, the minister noted that while digital media has significantly expanded access to information, it has also introduced complex challenges that demand a renewed commitment to truth, verification, and responsible journalism.
He emphasised that professional journalists must distinguish themselves through accuracy, proper fact-checking, and context, despite the growing influence of social media and citizen journalism.
“Public confidence in the media depends largely on its commitment to ethical standards and factual reporting,” he said, warning against ethnic and religious profiling in crime reporting.
According to Idris, associating criminality with ethnic or religious identities undermines national unity and fuels prejudice.
He described the media as a critical pillar of democratic governance, stressing that responsible journalism remains essential for promoting accountability, transparency, and informed public discourse.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Chief Sunday Dare, represented by Mr Jonathan Tamari, commended Royal Prince Media Services for sustaining the initiative over the years.
He noted that the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards has evolved into a credible platform for recognising excellence in leadership and public service across sectors.
“The programme reflects the growing importance of visionary leadership in national development,” he said, while congratulating journalists for their contributions to professionalism and nation-building.
In his welcome address, the Convener and Publisher of Emporium Magazine, Mr Lukman Laleye Babalola, described the event as a celebration of ten years of impactful journalism and commitment to accountability.
Babalola said the theme of the lecture was timely, given the challenges posed by misinformation, sensationalism, and declining public trust in the media.
He urged media practitioners to move beyond the pursuit of online traffic and prioritise truth, fairness, and responsible communication.
According to him, the lecture provides a platform for stakeholders—including policymakers, journalists, regulators, and civil society—to explore practical strategies for strengthening democracy through credible digital journalism.
The event also featured the presentation of Emporium Leadership Awards to distinguished individuals and organisations for their contributions to governance, media, security, business, and social development.
Among the awardees were Assistant Corps Commander John Onoja, who received the National Resource Protection and Security Award; Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Adekunle Balogun of NiDCOM, honoured with the Distinguished Patron of Media Excellence Award; and Dr Wisdom Enang, who received the Emporium Energy Leadership Award.
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Others included Fame Foundation, honoured for Gender Advocacy and Social Impact; Comrade Grace Ike, recipient of the Media Leadership and Civic Engagement Award; Dr Innocent Odey of InnoBec Business School, recognised for Human Capital Development; Ambrose Omordion of InvestData Consulting Limited, honoured for Capital Market Development; and Mallam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, who received the award for Global Media Diplomacy and National Image Rebranding.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously stressed that digital media must prioritise truth over traffic, noting that credibility remains the cornerstone of journalism and a vital ingredient in sustaining Nigeria’s democracy.
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