Eze Anaba, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, has urged student reporters across Nigeria to prioritize ethical practices, rigorous verification, and conflict-sensitive reporting to help stabilize the nation. Speaking at the 10th-anniversary symposium of the Academic Campus Journalists (ACJ) at the Federal College of Education in Abeokuta, Anaba emphasized that the media holds significant power to either calm or inflame public tensions.
Represented by Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, the NGE leader warned that sensationalism and misinformation are direct threats to national progress. He highlighted how insecurity hampers economic investment, disrupts the educational system, and restricts job growth. Consequently, he challenged student journalists to act as early warning systems by maintaining neutral language and confirming facts before dissemination, noting that a single unverified social media post could trigger widespread disorder.
The event also featured insights from logistics expert Dr. Joel Babatunde Agbebi, who cautioned against the rapid spread of falsehoods. He urged journalists to consider the potential consequences of their content, arguing that responsible communication should foster unity rather than panic. Tunde-Oso Modadeoluwa Alayololuwa, the president of the ACJ, celebrated a decade of progress, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to accountability and providing a platform for critical voices to contribute to national development.
