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The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has urged media organisations to strengthen fact-checking and ensure balanced reporting as political activities intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The council warned that the spread of unverified claims, politically motivated misinformation and inflammatory publications could mislead voters and create divisions among citizens if journalists fail to uphold professional standards.
The appeal was made during a media workshop held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, where participants examined the responsibilities of journalists in promoting peaceful elections and national unity.
Representing the NPC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Dili Ezughah, the council’s Director of Public Relations, Chinyere Facah, stressed that journalists must remain independent and avoid allowing political interests to influence their reports.
She explained that election reporting requires careful handling of sensitive issues, particularly when covering political disagreements, allegations of misconduct and disputes involving candidates or their supporters.
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, also emphasised the influence of media reports on public opinion, urging journalists to avoid sensationalism and exercise restraint when reporting electoral developments. He further cautioned against announcing election results before they are officially released by the relevant authorities.
Similarly, Prof. Reginald Facah of Tansian University, Umunya, called attention to the consequences of hate speech and divisive political communication, noting that responsible journalism could help prevent tensions and encourage peaceful coexistence.
The workshop also examined the growing challenge of digital misinformation, including manipulated photographs, fabricated videos and artificial intelligence-generated content. Participants were encouraged to scrutinise materials obtained from social media before incorporating them into news reports.
The NPC maintained that journalists have a crucial role to play in safeguarding democratic participation by providing credible information, holding public officials accountable and ensuring that citizens receive accurate reports throughout the electoral process.
