Bauchi State Governor Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has urged broadcasters across the country to promote credible broadcasting as a means of strengthening democracy amid the spread of misinformation and fake news.
Mohammed also stressed the need for traditional media broadcasters to intensify credible reporting following the emergence of social media.
He urged Nigerian broadcasters to prioritize verification, accuracy and responsible reporting in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation.
The governor made the call on Monday in Bauchi at the 3rd Annual Conference and Induction of New Members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Mohammed said credible broadcasting had become more important in an era where manipulated content could travel around the world within seconds.
He spoke at the conference, themed “Responsible Broadcasting in an Election Year: Countering Misinformation, Promoting Peace and Strengthening Democracy,” which was attended by media professionals and broadcasters.
The governor said his administration had invested over N3 billion in modernizing state-owned media outfits to promote digital broadcasting and credible information dissemination.
He said the investment included the installation of digital broadcasting facilities at Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) and Bauchi State Television (BATV) to reposition the stations for global competitiveness.
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Mohammed noted that credible broadcasting remained critical to combating misinformation, strengthening public trust and promoting constructive dialogue, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
According to him, responsible broadcasting is a panacea for peace, national unity and democratic consolidation, hence the need for governments at all levels to support the media industry.
Mohammed commended the SNB for choosing Bauchi to host the conference, describing the theme as timely and apt.
“I urge practitioners to continue placing premium on verification, accuracy and responsible reporting, and to maintain a clear distinction between facts, analysis, commentary and opinion,” Bala Mohammed said.
The governor also commended the SNB for sustaining a democratic process through which its members renew their leadership, noting that the conference would feature the election of a new Executive Council.
According to him, leadership transition is one of the clearest tests of the strength and maturity of any institution.
“I therefore commend the society for sustaining a democratic process through which its members can renew their leadership,” he said.
Mohammed urged members to use the conference to review their achievements, address emerging challenges, strengthen professional relationships and chart a responsible course for broadcasting in Nigeria.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the Federal Government had invested significantly in public and private broadcasting because of its contributions to national development.
Earlier, the National President of the SNB, Professor Umar Pate, called for greater integration of technology into digital broadcasting to enhance credible, accurate and timely reporting ahead of the election.
The conference featured the induction of new members and was attended by government officials, media executives, veteran broadcasters and Mass Communication students.
Among those present were Prof. Umaru Pate, President of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, and Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director and CEO of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).
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