2025 National Media Summit: Participants Caution Against Rush To Publish Unverified Information
By Lynn Adda
Participants at the just concluded National Media Summit held in Jalingo the Taraba State capital have warned Journalists’ to be cautious about the breaking news syndrome.
This is one of the resolutions reached at the end of the 2025 National Media Summit.
The Summit was organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ in collaboration with the Taraba State Government.
Themed “Strengthening Media Resilience for National Development”, the Summit brought together media professionals, scholars, government officials, security experts, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders from across the country.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere in Gombe State, Prof Umar Pate and one of Africa’s famous media and communication scholars was the Keynote Speaker at the event.
He situated the Summit within the broader challenges confronting journalism in Nigeria — insecurity, political fragmentation, digital disruption, and declining public trust.
Prof Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor, Fed. University, Kashere
Prof Pate stressed that ethical journalism remains the backbone of democratic stability, insisting that no nation can progress when its media is weakened by intimidation, lack of professionalism, or ethical lapses.
He therefore urged journalists to recommit to accuracy, independence, fairness, and responsibility, warning that credibility — once lost — is rarely regained.
Prof. Pate equally highlighted the urgent need to prioritize safety and security of journalists, particularly those covering elections, conflict zones, civil unrest, and organized crime.
He lamented increasing cases of assault, harassment, unlawful detention, and intimidation, calling on both the NUJ and media employers to develop comprehensive safety protocols, including risk assessment systems, insurance coverage, trauma support, and clear assignment guidelines.
On institutional reforms, he emphasized that the NUJ must strengthen internal discipline, transparency, and ethical oversight if it is to remain a moral authority.
He warned that the explosion of misinformation, hate speech, and the unhealthy “breaking news syndrome” continues to undermine the media’s credibility.
He called for stronger fact-checking capacity, digital literacy, responsible gatekeeping, and editorial accountability.
Several observations were equally made during the 2 days National event, including a noticeable rise in threats, harassment, and violence against journalists across the country, especially during elections, public protests, and coverage of conflict or criminal activities.
Chief Chris Isiguzo, for NUJ National President
It was also observed that many media organisations lack structured safety frameworks, insurance schemes, or crisis-response protocols, placing journalists at heightened professional and physical risk.
It was noted that public confidence in the media continues to decline due to ethical lapses, sensationalism, misinformation, and unprofessional conduct by some practitioners while digital media has broadened access to information, which has also fuelled the spread of fake news, hate speech, and unverified breaking stories that damage public understanding.
Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, NUJ Deputy National President
There is chronic underfunding, unpaid salaries, and poor welfare conditions which haa weaken the ethical independence and morale of journalists nationwide.
Many journalists lack modern skills in investigative reporting, digital tools, fact-checking, data journalism, safety techniques, and multimedia storytelling.
There is a clear need for improved internal discipline, stronger ethical oversight, and more transparent enforcement mechanisms within the NUJ.
Shuaibu Usman Leman, former NUJ National Secretary
It was further observed that there is the vital need for constructive engagement between the media and government for national development and security; Taraba State’s partnership with the NUJ was acknowledged as a positive example.
Nigerians are increasingly expecting the media to expose wrongdoing, demand accountability, and provide credible information that empowers citizens.
The role of academia and civil society were also discussed.
The participants agreed that they remain essential partners in training, monitoring, research, and advocacy to strengthen media resilience.
The Summit observed that the current organisational structure of the NUJ no longer aligns with the demands of modern journalism. Delegates noted the need for a holistic restructuring that includes the establishment of specialised Units (Digital and New Media; Training and Research; Membership and Ethics; Press Centres and Facilities; Monitoring and Evaluation; Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation; Conditions of Service/ Welfare and Advocacy and Legal Affairs).
The Summit further observed the necessity of digital transformation of Union operations, upgrading of Press Centres nationwide, improved welfare and safety mechanisms, stricter ethical enforcement, and diversified revenue streams to ensure long-term sustainability and enhanced professionalism.
After extensive deliberations, the Summit resolved as follows:
“The Summit commended Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State for partnering with the NUJ and sponsoring the 2025 National Media Summit. Delegates endorsed his submission that transparency and accountability cannot be achieved without a vibrant media, and his call for stronger government–media collaboration.
“The Summit called for the development and operationalization of comprehensive safety protocols, including risk assessment systems, insurance schemes, emergency response structures, and continuous safety training.
“The NUJ was urged to revive, empower, and support the Committee on Safety and Security of Journalists at both the National Secretariat and in all states for effective implementation of its mandate.
“The Summit called for strengthening Ethics and Disciplinary Committees across all states to ensure transparent, consistent, and constitutionally guided enforcement of professional standards.
“Delegates emphasized the need for journalists to prioritize fact-checking and accuracy. They warned that fake news, misinformation, and hate speech threaten national cohesion and professional credibility.
“The Summit cautioned against the unhealthy rush to publish unverified information. Delegates reaffirmed that accuracy and verification must never be sacrificed for speed.
“Media organisations were encouraged to invest in continuous training in digital literacy, ethical reporting, safety techniques, and other emerging competencies.
“The Summit called for deeper collaboration between the NUJ, government agencies, security institutions, academia, and civil society to advance media freedom, journalist safety, and democratic accountability.
“The Summit resolved that the NUJ must embark on a phased restructuring programme aimed at building a modern, professional, transparent, and financially sustainable Union. Key elements include the establishment of functional Units , membership verification, digital platforms for training and multimedia engagement, upgrading of Press Centres as innovation hubs, introduction of robust welfare and insurance schemes, enhanced ethical enforcement, diversification of revenue through commercialisation and partnerships, and clear accountability mechanisms including annual financial and governance reports.
“Delegates passed a vote of confidence on the Union’s National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi for his exemplary leadership so far”.
Alhassan Yahya
The 2025 National Media Summit reaffirmed the essential role of the media in national development and democratic consolidation. Delegates expressed confidence that the implementation of these resolutions will strengthen professionalism, rebuild public trust, and promote a safer, more ethical, and more responsible media environment in Nigeria.
The Communique was signed by Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi,
President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Achike Chude, National Secretary, NUJ.
