Concerns over the growing influence of misinformation and the pressure to break news quickly took centre stage on Tuesday as media professionals warned that speed is increasingly undermining accuracy in journalism.
The concerns were raised at the Annual Media Parley hosted by NOI Polls, where journalists, analysts, and communication experts gathered to examine the evolving relationship between news reporting and public sentiment.
Setting the tone for the discussion, the Chief Executive Officer of NOI Polls, Chike Nwangwu, reflected on over two decades of tracking public opinion in Nigeria, highlighting the complex interplay between facts, narratives, and perception.
Speaking at the session, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University noted that public sentiment is often shaped less by verified information and more by emotionally driven narratives and sensational content. He pointed out that propaganda has long influenced public perception and political outcomes, citing historical examples from Roman times to the Second World War.
“Public sentiment is often rushed and emotional, and information that gratifies sensation is sold very fast,” Adeniyi said, warning that the rise of digital platforms has further accelerated the spread of misinformation and disinformation. “We are in a world where the internet is restless and information moves every minute,” he added.
Amid these challenges, Adeniyi urged journalists to remain committed to truth and evidence-based reporting, stressing the need to counter false information and sustain public trust. “What we must welcome is truth, evidence and facts,” he said.
The discussion also featured insights from leading media practitioners during a panel moderated by Georgina Ndukwe-Ezeanyika of Arise TV, with participants including Seun Okinbaloye of Channels Television, Ayodele Ozugbakun of TVC News, and Sumner Sambo of Arise TV.
Highlighting the implications of the race to break news, Okinbaloye said the pressure for immediacy is increasingly affecting journalistic standards, often at the expense of accuracy and ethics. He cautioned that as the media drifts from its foundational values, including responsible opinion journalism, the profession could face heightened risks, particularly in the lead-up to general elections.
Sambo echoed similar concerns, stressing that accuracy must always take precedence over speed. He described fact-checking as the bedrock of credible journalism and advised media practitioners to avoid ideological and ethnic biases that could distort reporting and mislead audiences.
Also speaking, Head of Social Research at NOI Polls, Raphael Mbaegbu, presented insights from the organisation’s DataBank, outlining ongoing efforts to expand its technological capacity and strengthen collaborative research frameworks.
Across the discussions, speakers emphasised the need for journalists to uphold professionalism, responsibility, and public service, even in an increasingly fast-paced media environment. They agreed that maintaining trust requires a deliberate commitment to accuracy, ethical standards, and fact-based reporting.
Report by Princess Alabi