Nigeria’s democracy at risk as journalism faces growing attacks – Isiguzo

He said misinformation, fake news, and unregulated online content are growing fast, while journalists have no strong legal protection. This, he warned, is a big threat to Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking at the NUJ FCT 2025 Capacity Building Programme in Keffi, Isiguzo explained that digital tools and social media now allow anyone to publish information, even without training. According to him, many unprofessional content creators now dominate the media space and spread wrong information, making it harder for real journalists to do their work.

He said professional journalists must take back the space, especially on social media, so they can correct false information and maintain standards.

“The tools are in the hands of young people who can use them for anything,” he said. “Professionals have to enter that space to guide the narrative.”

Isiguzo also warned about what he called the “fifth law of misinformation,” saying it is causing confusion because people publish news without any ethical checks. He advised journalists to always follow the basic rules of the profession so readers can trust what they publish.

He complained that, unlike countries like Ghana, Malawi, and the United States, Nigeria does not have any law that clearly protects journalists.

“There is no law that protects journalism in Nigeria,” he said. “If democracy loses the truth, everything becomes harmful.”

He added that Nigerian journalists still face harassment, arrest, intimidation, and even imprisonment while doing their job.

“Journalists are scared—scared of arrest, and even scared of how to feed their families,” he said. “The only real solution is proper legal protection.”

In her keynote speech, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the training programme is meant to improve professionalism in Nigeria’s communication sector.

She said the theme, “Enhancing Image Making, Public Relations, Social Media Management, and Media Visibility in the Public Sector,” is important because information now spreads very quickly and digital media has become very powerful.

Ike explained that today’s information officers do more than write reports—they also plan strategy, manage crises, create content, engage online, and protect the image of their organisations.

She said training is now essential.

“It is the difference between reacting to issues and shaping the story,” she said.

She added that continuous training makes institutions more credible and effective.