UK and PAU Advocate for Stronger Media Independence to Combat Misinformation

British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter emphasized the critical role of independent journalism in protecting democracy and fighting misinformation in Nigeria during a media training workshop held Wednesday in Lagos.

The workshop, focused on advancing press freedom through science and technology journalism, was organized by the British High Commission in collaboration with the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University (PAU).

“In an age of rapid technological change, accurate, ethical and evidence-based reporting has never been more essential,” Baxter told the gathered journalists. “You all know how quickly unsubstantiated information can spread and shape perceptions. This is why your role as journalists is so important in ensuring credible information reaches the public.”

The event represents the latest in a series of professional development initiatives conducted by the UK across Lagos, Abuja, and the United Kingdom over the past two years, demonstrating Britain’s sustained commitment to strengthening journalism in Nigeria.

Baxter noted that media professionals serve a dual purpose – informing citizens while simultaneously holding institutions and governments accountable. He highlighted recent collaborations during the Nigerian president’s state visit to the UK, where journalists played a crucial role in communicating government commitments to the public.

The diplomatic official encouraged participants to engage actively in the workshop, emphasizing that challenging conversations are fundamental to effective journalism.

In his keynote address, Ikechukwu Obiaya, Dean of PAU’s School of Media and Communication, argued that modern journalism must evolve beyond the traditional “five Ws and H” framework to fully address issues of relevance, audience needs, timing, and ethical responsibility.

“We must also ask who the story is for, why it matters, when and where it should be told, and how it should be presented. These are critical to defining good journalism,” Obiaya explained.

He described quality journalism as accurate, fair, and ethically responsible, guided by principles of accountability, transparency, independence, and impartiality. However, Obiaya expressed concern that many of these standards are increasingly absent in parts of today’s media landscape, largely due to the proliferation of untrained content creators and ideology-driven reporting.

“Today, there is a free-for-all flow of information, where professional journalism competes with unverified and sometimes misleading content,” Obiaya said. “This has led to distortions, bias and narratives shaped more by ideology and ownership interests than by truth.”

The dean emphasized journalism’s fundamental role as a public service, tasked with guiding citizens and providing clarity in an increasingly complex information environment. He urged media professionals to report not just problems but also potential solutions, offering audiences a balanced understanding of societal issues.

Associate Professor Silk Ogbu, also from PAU, highlighted the interconnected nature of press freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information as fundamental pillars of democratic development. While these rights are recognized in various legal frameworks, Ogbu noted they are not absolute and must operate within established legal boundaries.

The academic challenged journalists to critically assess their level of independence by questioning the extent of state influence, ownership pressures, and self-censorship within their profession. He pointed to persistent challenges in accessing public information despite Nigeria’s Freedom of Information Act, noting that institutional resistance continues to hinder transparency efforts.

The workshop brought together journalists from across Nigeria, creating a forum to examine critical issues including press freedom, ethical reporting standards, and the transformative impact of technology on journalism practice. Participants were encouraged to share experiences and develop practical strategies for promoting credible, independent, and responsible journalism in an increasingly digital media landscape.

The training represents part of the UK’s broader engagement with Nigerian media stakeholders to improve communication and strengthen cooperation across key areas including economic growth, investment, migration, and security.