By Queen Kunde
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, has urged journalists to strengthen fact-checking and responsible reporting to curb misinformation and prevent panic over security issues.
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, AIG Victor Olaiya, made the call while declaring open a two-day media interaction themed, “Reporting Security in the Digital Age: Curtailing Misinformation, Preventing Panic and Upholding Fact-Based Journalism in Nigeria.”
Olaiya said the speed of digital communication had made it possible for unverified photographs, videos, voice notes and reports to go viral before the facts were established.
He warned that misinformation could create fear, distort public perception and undermine confidence in security agencies.
The AIG said the Police and media had different responsibilities but shared a common interest in building a safer and better-informed society.
“Let us work towards a communication environment where facts travel faster than rumours, verification precedes publication, context accompanies information, and responsible journalism contributes to public safety,” he said.
Olaiya also called for stronger cooperation between the Police and media, saying difficult questions should be asked responsibly and answered with professionalism, transparency and facts.
In his welcome address, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Zone 7, DCP Adeola Odetunde PSC (+) said closer Police-media collaboration was essential to keeping the public properly informed on security matters.
He urged participants to use the two-day engagement to exchange ideas, ask questions and build stronger professional relationships.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director of the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Abuja, Dr Nicholas Igwenagu, commended the Police and the Nigerian Union of Journalists for improving cooperation between the security and media communities.
Igwenagu stressed the need for sustained collaboration, particularly as misinformation and unverified reports increasingly threaten public peace.
He assured security agencies of the IIJ’s continued support for professional journalism and effective communication.
“The journalists will continue to support the security agencies till the end of time,” he said.
The programme brought together police officers, journalists, bloggers, new-media practitioners, professional bodies, resource persons and other stakeholders.
Experts also led participants through sessions on security reporting, misinformation and responsible journalism in the digital age.
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