Amid growing national concerns over the proliferation of unverified information and its potential to ignite civil unrest, security leadership and media stakeholders have called for an urgent return to fundamental journalistic ethics to safeguard national stability and democratic accountability.
The call was made in Abeokuta during a strategic engagement between the Ogun State Police Command and the executive leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Speaking during the visit, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, cautioned that the rapid dissemination of fake news across digital platforms poses a direct threat to internal security operations and national peace. He urged media practitioners across Nigeria to resist sensationalism and prioritize accuracy, verification, and developmental journalism in their routine coverage.
”The rapid spread of unverified information on digital platforms makes professional journalism more critical than ever. Media professionals must guard against sensationalism and fake news, which can easily undermine security efforts and inflame societal tensions,” CP Ojajuni warned.
Highlighting the symbiotic relationship between law enforcement and the fourth estate, the Police Commissioner described journalists as indispensable partners in combating crime, intelligence sharing, and preserving lives and property nationwide.
In her response, the newly elected Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, reassured law enforcement authorities of the media’s commitment to high ethical standards, nation-building, and objective reporting.
”We are here to strengthen the existing relationship between the media and the police, recognizing that both institutions play critical roles in promoting peace, security, and national development.
“While the police work tirelessly to protect lives and property, the media remains committed to informing the public accurately, responsibly, and professionally”, Fatungase added
