Former President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, has expressed deep concern over what he described as escalating threats to professional journalism in Nigeria.
He warned that unchecked misinformation, unregulated online content, and the absence of legal protections for journalists pose serious dangers to the nation’s democracy.
Speaking during the NUJ FCT 2025 Capacity Building Programme for Information and Media Officers in Keffi, Isiguzo said the explosion of digital tools and the rapid spread of social media have created an environment where non-professionals dominate the information space, often to the detriment of factual reporting.
He noted that with widespread access to digital tools, many untrained individuals now produce content without ethical scrutiny, making it urgent for professional journalists to reclaim the space.
“If we are not able to attack it headlong, then we are going to be in trouble. The tools we have now are available to our young stars, and they can do anything with them,” he said. “Professionals must invade the space—especially social media—to counter those who operate without limits. Social media influencers and content creators are churning out all sorts, and professionals must be there to check and control the narrative.”
Isiguzo also warned that the “fifth law of misinformation” is fueling chaos, made worse by citizen journalism practiced without any form of gatekeeping or ethical guidance.
“Whatever you turn out must accommodate the fundamentals, so whoever is reading what you publish will know a professional is behind it,” he stated.
He lamented that unlike countries such as Ghana, Malawi, and the United States, Nigeria still lacks legislation that explicitly protects journalists and media freedoms.
“There’s no piece of legislation that protects the practice of journalism in Nigeria,” he said. “If the oxygen is plugged out and democracy begins to inhale carbon dioxide, it becomes toxic—for the body, for governance, and for democracy itself.”
According to him, Nigerian journalists—despite having a constitutional duty to hold power accountable—continue to work under the constant fear of harassment, arrest, intimidation, and even imprisonment.
“Journalists are living in fear—fear of the unknown, fear of how to feed and protect their families,” he added. “The only real protection is proper legislation.”
In her keynote address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, described the capacity-building programme as a strategic investment in strengthening professionalism within Nigeria’s communication ecosystem.
She said the programme’s theme, “Enhancing Image Making, Public Relations, Social Media Management, and Media Visibility in the Public Sector,” is timely, given the pace at which information spreads and the rising influence of digital media.
Ike noted that modern information officers now play broader roles that include strategy development, crisis management, content creation, digital engagement, and reputation protection.
“To excel in this new system, training is no longer optional; it is foundational,” she said. “It is the difference between being reactive and being strategic—between managing information and shaping narratives.”
She stressed that continuous professional development is essential for effectiveness in today’s fast-evolving media environment.
“When we invest in training, we invest in excellence. When we invest in knowledge, we elevate the credibility of our institutions,” she said.