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By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) has called on journalists and media organisations to strengthen professional standards and fact-checking mechanisms ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The call was made at the 8th Bagauda Kaltho Media Lecture Series, organised by AMDF to commemorate the posthumous birthday of investigative journalist Bagauda Kaltho.
Themed “Courageous Journalism, Press Freedom and the Challenge of Election Misinformation Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections,” the lecture provided a platform to reflect on the state of journalism, press freedom and the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, who examined the historic contribution of journalism to Nigeria’s independence, democratic development and resistance to military rule.
He also highlighted the economic and technological challenges facing the media industry, including disruptions to traditional media business models and growing pressure on journalists and media institutions.
In its communiqué issued at the end of the lecture, the organisers expressed concern over the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create fabricated election results, deepfake videos, manipulated audio and other forms of deceptive content.
The lecture noted that the speed and reach of social media platforms could enable misinformation and disinformation to spread rapidly, sometimes faster than journalists and fact-checkers can respond.
It also raised concerns about legal and institutional challenges facing journalists, including the application of the Cybercrimes Act and the continued existence of outdated laws considered restrictive to press freedom.
The lecture called on journalists and media organisations to invest in continuous training in fact-checking, digital verification, artificial intelligence and investigative journalism.
It further urged newsrooms to develop stronger systems for identifying and responding to misinformation, particularly before and during elections, while promoting a culture of verification rather than simply reproducing information circulating on social media.
Government and public institutions were also urged to support credible fact-checking and verification mechanisms, strengthen constructive engagement with the media and review laws that create obstacles to legitimate journalism.
The organisers called on technology companies and digital platforms to work with journalists, civil society organisations and relevant government institutions to address the spread of harmful disinformation and support mechanisms for identifying manipulated and AI-generated content.
The lecture also emphasised the importance of media literacy and critical thinking, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it, particularly during election periods.
It encouraged the expansion of media-literacy initiatives through communities, schools, religious organisations and other social institutions.
The lecture further recognised the importance of capacity-building programmes for young journalists and encouraged continued investment in journalism education, ethical training and digital skills.
The organisers called for a multi-stakeholder response involving journalists, media organisations, government institutions, technology companies, civil society, educators and citizens to strengthen Nigeria’s information environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lecture also reaffirmed the continuing relevance of Bagauda Kaltho’s legacy as a reminder of the risks journalists have historically faced in the pursuit of truth and public accountability.
The communiqué was signed by Titus Usman, Publisher of Jewel Treasure Newspaper, and Sekyen Dadik, Executive Director of the Africa Media Development Foundation.
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