The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on journalists across the nation to remain professional and ethical in their reporting, warning against allowing platforms to be used to undermine national institutions.
Idris gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja at the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Awards, which also marked the unveiling of a special 10th anniversary commemorative edition of Emporium Magazine.
Represented at the event by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndache, the minister stressed that media organisations have a shared stake in national stability, noting their survival is tied to the survival of the country.
“Every media organisation’s survival depends on the survival of the country. Supporting national interest and national cause shouldn’t be seen as doing something wrong, you’re doing the right thing,” Ndache quoted the minister as saying.
He also reminded journalists of the unique privilege their profession confers, urging them not allow persons without professional competence to define the direction of the industry.
“Journalism is a profession of respect,” he said, adding that criticism of government and public figures should be done with decorum and respect.”
Delivering a keynote address on the theme “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role In Deepening Nigeria’ s Democracy,” the Publisher of World Entourage Magazine, Abdullahi Haruna, acknowledged the double-edged nature of the digital media revolution.
“While digital media has democratized access to information, it has also democratized access to misinformation. While it has amplified voices, it has also amplified falsehoods,” he warned.
Haruna identified credibility as the central challenge facing the media ecosystem, describing it as a bridge between information and public trust. “Without trust democracy weakens, without credibility, journalism loses relevance, without verified facts, governance becomes difficult,” he said.
He called for a collective national response, urging the government to protect the press freedom, media organisations to strengthen ethical standards, technology companies to combat misinformation, educational institutions to promote media literacy, and journalists to recommit themselves to truth.
In her remarks at the event, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, congratulated the Emporium team and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to supporting media organisations that “choose truth over traffic and accountability over applause.”
Earlier, the Publisher of the Emporium Magazine and Online, Lukman Babalola, described the occasion as a moment to reflect on a decade of purposeful journalism practice and to chart a new path for the future.
Over the past 10 years, we have remained committed to telling stories that matter, celebrating achievements, amplifying impactful voices, and contributing to constructive national discourse,” he said.
Babalola acknowledged the challenges the digital landscape has introduced, including misinformation, disinformation, sensationalism, declining public trust, and emphasised the need for credible communication as Nigeria continues to strengthen its democratic institutions.
The event brought together policymakers, media practitioners, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to discuss how digital media can be harnessed to strengthen democracy, promote national cohesion and support sustainable development.
It also witnessed the conferment of awards to deserving recipients.
