By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibril Ndache, have called on journalists, particularly crime correspondents, to uphold accuracy, professionalism and responsible reporting in the fight against fake news, misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They made the call at the 3rd Annual Conference and Awards of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), held in Abuja, with the theme, “Navigating Security Challenges in the 2027 Election: The Role of the Media in Combating Fake News.”
Disu urged journalists to exercise caution in gathering and disseminating information, stressing that unverified reports, manipulated content and sensational coverage could heighten public tension, undermine confidence in security institutions and threaten national stability.
The IGP emphasised the importance of verifying information, particularly images, videos and audio materials manipulated with Artificial Intelligence (AI), before publishing them, noting that journalists must be conscious of the potential consequences of their reports during sensitive periods such as elections.
He urged crime correspondents to maintain professional standards and avoid allowing personal interests, political considerations or external pressure to influence their reportage.
The police chief also stressed the need for journalists to report security developments accurately and fairly, while recognising their responsibility to protect the public interest and contribute to national security.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibril Ndache, described responsible journalism as indispensable to electoral security, public confidence and democratic stability.
Ndache warned that misinformation, disinformation, manipulated images, fabricated audio and videos, as well as AI-generated content, had become serious threats to the electoral process, capable of misleading citizens, provoking violence and undermining confidence in democratic institutions.
He maintained that the responsibility of journalists goes beyond transmitting information to ensuring that reports are verified, properly contextualised and presented with sound editorial judgment.
According to him, traditional media organisations must strengthen their credibility through professional verification and contextual reporting, particularly as social media has made it possible for manipulated content to reach thousands of people within minutes.
The VON Director-General urged journalists to adopt the principle of “Stop, Check, Confirm, Report,” stressing that no reporter should publish information that has not been adequately verified.
He said, “If you are not sure, as a journalist, don’t publish or amplify it. Verify before you report.”
Ndache also cautioned journalists against allowing personal sentiments, political affiliations or dislike for individuals to determine their coverage, insisting that journalism must be guided by facts, fairness and professional judgment.
He stressed that criticism of government and security institutions remained part of the media’s responsibility but should be based on facts and presented with the necessary context, rather than used to weaken public confidence in national institutions.
The VON chief further called for sustained investment in journalists’ capacity development, particularly in digital journalism, artificial intelligence, fact-checking and security reporting.
He advocated stronger partnerships between media organisations and security agencies to improve access to timely and accurate information, noting that effective communication was essential to building public trust.
Earlier, the Chairman of CCAN, Festus Ejiroghene Fifen, said the conference was designed to strengthen collaboration between the media and security agencies in addressing the challenges of misinformation and disinformation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fifen described crime correspondents as an important part of the country’s security architecture, noting that their reports shape public understanding of security operations and help hold institutions accountable.
He said, “News is said to be the first draft of history. For crime correspondents, it is also a first line of defence for public safety.”
He noted that accurate and non-sensational security reporting could calm public anxiety, counter criminal propaganda and strengthen accountability in security operations.
The CCAN chairman, however, expressed concern over the welfare and working conditions of crime correspondents, particularly those covering conflict zones, who often operate without adequate protective equipment, specialised training, logistics and life insurance.
He criticised the practice of spending huge sums on event decorations, souvenirs and catering while neglecting the welfare and professional development of journalists expected to communicate the activities of security institutions to the public.
“Journalism cannot feed on souvenirs, and capacity cannot be built on a plate of rice and periodic handouts,” he said.
Fifen called for specialised training in fact-checking, digital forensics and crisis reporting, provision of safety kits and protective equipment for reporters in conflict zones, as well as modern press centres equipped with reliable internet and real-time verification tools at key security commands.
He also recommended the institutionalisation of conflict-sensitive journalism and the involvement of crime correspondents in scenario-building and pre-election security simulations to ensure coordinated communication strategies.
The CCAN chairman commended Disu for his leadership and support for the association, describing the Nigeria Police Force’s engagement with the media as important to strengthening cooperation between security institutions and journalists.
In a goodwill message, the National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting the police and strengthening its relationship with the media and the public.
Olaniyan stressed the importance of public cooperation with the police, noting that the support of communities remained essential to effective policing.
He also congratulated the IGP and pledged the committee’s continued partnership with the Nigeria Police Force.
The conference featured the recognition of individuals whose contributions to security and impactful reporting were considered deserving of commendation.
