A senior media professional and former Managing Director of Daily Trust Newspaper, HRH Akogun Isiaq Ajibola, has urged Nigerians to guard against fake news as social media continues to deepen democratic participation, warning that the growing democratisation of information must be matched by greater responsibility among citizens.
Ajibola made the call on Wednesday while serving as Special Guest of Honour at a public lecture titled “Economic Reforms and Sustainable Economic Development in a Democracy,” held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
Reflecting on the media’s role in Nigeria’s democratic journey, he recalled that the struggle against military rule and for the restoration of democracy was championed largely by courageous independent media organisations and journalists who operated under difficult circumstances. He noted, however, that the media landscape has changed fundamentally with the rise of smartphones and social media.
“In those days, the independent media played a major role in fighting for democracy. Today, almost everybody has a phone, and in a sense, every citizen has become part of the media,” he said.
According to him, this shift has made democracy more engaging and participatory, as citizens can now record events, expose inadequacies in governance, question public officials and share information almost instantaneously.
His Highness, however, cautioned that the same technology empowering citizens has also created fertile ground for fake news, misinformation and deliberate distortion. He stressed that citizens must increasingly sharpen their ability to distinguish genuine, credible information from fabricated stories before believing or forwarding them.
“The phone has given everyone a voice, but that voice comes with responsibility. We must learn to ask questions about the source of information and verify what we receive before sharing it. Fake news can do serious damage to society and to democracy itself,” he said.
He maintained that social media should continue to serve as an instrument for strengthening citizen participation and holding leaders accountable, but warned that its benefits could be undermined if citizens failed to use the platforms responsibly.
The lecture was chaired by veteran journalist Moji Makanjuola, while Hon. Asiwaju Asiru delivered the keynote address as Guest Speaker.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to several distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their contributions to public service and national development. Among the recipients were the Minister of Interior, Senator Sunday Karimi, and Hon. Arch. Salman Idris, among others.
The Democracy Newsline Newspaper Public Lecture brought together journalists, public officials, political leaders and other stakeholders to examine the challenges of pursuing economic reforms within a democratic system, and the importance of public engagement, accountability and effective communication in sustaining such reforms.
