Media Essential in Combating Disinformation, Ambassador States

Polish Ambassador Highlights Media’s Role in Combating Disinformation

The Ambassador to the Republic of Poland, Mr. Michal Cygan, has emphasized the critical role of mass media in fighting disinformation, stating that false information transcends language barriers and creates harm worldwide.

Speaking at a Journalists’ Meeting on Disinformation in Abuja, organized by the Polish Embassy in partnership with the Female Journalists Network of Nigeria, Cygan underscored the media’s unique position to combat misinformation through its wide-reaching platforms.

“The impact and responsibility of the media to set agendas in society is the tool that can be used to combat disinformation,” Cygan said during the event themed “Bridging Perception Gaps: Combating Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fake News for Stronger Nigeria-Poland Relations.”

The ambassador stressed the importance of such meetings and training sessions for media professionals, noting they strengthen the fight against disinformation in both Polish and Nigerian societies while fostering bilateral relations.

Voice of Nigeria (VON) Director-General Jibrin Ndace reinforced these sentiments, describing misinformation as a major global challenge to national cohesion, diplomatic engagement, and public confidence.

“For countries such as Nigeria and Poland, which are committed to democracy, transparency, and mutual cooperation, truth and accuracy in the information disseminated are essential building blocks for stronger ties,” Ndace stated.

He outlined VON’s mandate to present authentic Nigerian narratives to international audiences, highlighting the organization’s commitment to fact-based reporting, digital literacy, and partnerships that support responsible journalism.

VON’s multilingual broadcasting capabilities—including English, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulfulde—enable engagement with diverse audiences across Africa and beyond. Ndace also revealed plans to expand broadcasts to Mandarin and Portuguese in the near future, further enhancing Nigeria’s global voice.

The Director-General particularly commended female broadcasters at VON, noting that women occupy leadership positions across key departments and drive major editorial and administrative decisions. “Their leadership is a testament to the strength and excellence of female media practitioners in our country,” he said.

Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Executive Director of Development Specs Academy, provided context on how the digital revolution has transformed global information landscapes. He explained that governments now communicate through both formal diplomatic channels and media ecosystems at unprecedented speeds, creating information overload that makes misinformation increasingly problematic.

“Media diplomacy that builds global legitimacy using traditional forms of media has been expanded with the rise of social media, where citizen journalism and real-time information flows,” Ikechukwu explained.

He noted that while governments utilize platforms like Twitter and TikTok for policy statements and global engagement, these same technologies enable the rapid spread of misinformation. To counter this, Ikechukwu proposed treating truth as a form of soft power that gives states media leverage through credibility.

“Using truth as a soft power would help to safeguard the integrity of international relations in an era characterized by misinformation,” he argued, adding that this approach promotes accuracy, accountability, and public trust.

The meeting reflects growing international concern about information integrity and marks a significant step in Nigeria-Poland cooperation on media matters. As both nations strengthen their diplomatic ties, addressing the shared challenge of disinformation emerges as a priority area for collaboration between media organizations, government institutions, and civil society groups across both countries.