Media professionals in Nigeria have raised concerns over the deepening threats facing professional journalism, warning that unchecked misinformation, unregulated online content, and the lack of legislative protection for journalists could further endanger the country’s democracy.

Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, raised the alarm at the NUJ FCT 2025 Capacity Building Programme for Information and Media Officers.

He said the proliferation of digital tools and the rapid expansion of social media have created an environment where non-professionals now dominate the information landscape, often with damaging consequences.

He said: “The tools we have now are available to our young stars and they can do anything with them. The professionals must have to invade, be it social media or other platforms, to be able to displace the people that are having free movement. Social media influencers and content creators are churning out all sorts, and professionals must be there to control.”

Isiguzo warned that the “fifth law of misinformation” is now causing chaos and mayhem, worsened by the activities of citizen journalists who operate without gatekeeping or ethical checks.

“Whatever you turn out must accommodate the fundamentals. So, whoever is reading what you are publishing will say this is a professional doing the job,” he added.

He further lamented that Nigeria still lacks a legal framework protecting journalists, unlike countries such as Ghana, Malawi, and the United States where media freedoms are constitutionally enshrined.

“There’s no piece of legislation that protects the practice of journalism in Nigeria. If the oxygen is plugged out and democracy begins to inhale what it should not inhale—carbon dioxide—then that is toxic for the body, toxic for democracy and toxic for good governance.”

According to him, journalists in Nigeria shoulder the constitutional responsibility of ensuring accountability but continue to work under fear of harassment, arrest, intimidation or even incarceration.

“These journalists are living in fear of the unknown, fear of how to feed the family, fear to protect the family. The only thing that can protect them is a piece of legislation.”

In her keynote speech, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the capacity-building programme represents a bold and strategic commitment to strengthening professionalism in Nigeria’s communication landscape.

She said the theme of the programme, “Enhancing Image Making, Public Relations, Social Media Management, and Media Visibility in the Public Sector”, was timely, given the speed at which information now spreads and the growing influence of digital platforms.

“We live in an age where information travels faster than policy, where perception often precedes reality, and where a single headline, a single tweet or a single video clip can redefine the reputation of an institution,” Ike said.

She noted that the role of information officers has evolved beyond issuing statements to include strategy, crisis management, content creation, digital engagement and safeguarding institutional reputation.

“To excel in this new system, training is no longer optional; it is foundational. It is the difference between being reactive and being strategic, between managing information and shaping narratives,” she said.

Ike emphasised that continuous learning remains the only pathway to relevance in today’s media environment.

“When we invest in training, we invest in excellence. When we invest in knowledge, we elevate the credibility of our institutions.

“Nothing gives me more satisfaction than to see our Council investing in capacity building, because people are the greatest asset of any profession,” she added.

She encouraged participants from the Ministry of Information, NCC, the military, NASENI, and various media houses to take the training seriously.

“Ask questions, challenge assumptions, interact with facilitators, and take back knowledge that can transform your work,” she said. “Let today be the beginning of a renewed commitment to professionalism.”

Ike expressed optimism that the programme would equip participants with tools to combat misinformation, enhance public communication, and strengthen Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem.

In her goodwill message, Head of Corporate Communications, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, who was represented by Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Tunde Akpeji, said the workshop was designed to strengthen staff professionalism, improve efficiency and equip participants to engage confidently within the public communication space.

He stated that the Commission values its personnel as its greatest asset, adding that investing in their skills is essential to driving positive change across the telecommunications industry. According to him, the training will equip information officers with the competencies required to effectively communicate the industry’s commitment to protecting critical national information infrastructure.

The capacity-building programme is part of the FCT NUJ’s broader initiative to strengthen ethical standards, improve government communication, and ensure that journalists and information officers remain effective guardians of public interest amid rising misinformation threats.

The event also featured the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Mr. Stanley Azuka Ogadigo; Deputy Director, International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Mr. Nicholas Igwenagu; Dr. Simon Sheyigar, Lecturer, Federal University, Lokoja; and Mr. Victor Habila Alaka.

They took sessions to share their experiences on different topics to build reputations as public relations officers. (The Sun)