A senior legal practitioner has urged Nigerian journalists and media professionals to strengthen their understanding of the law and uphold high ethical standards in their reporting, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
The legal expert made the call while highlighting the important role of the media in providing citizens with credible information and promoting accountability during the electoral process.
According to the lawyer, journalists have a responsibility to report political developments accurately, fairly and responsibly, especially when dealing with sensitive issues involving political parties, candidates, government officials and members of the public.
The lawyer emphasised that freedom of the press comes with corresponding responsibilities. Journalists, he said, must understand the legal boundaries surrounding news gathering, publication, privacy, defamation, contempt, copyright and other areas of media practice.
He also advised journalists to verify information before publication and avoid presenting unverified allegations as established facts.
Importance of Accuracy
With political activities expected to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the lawyer stressed the importance of accuracy in political reporting.
He noted that inaccurate or misleading reports can influence public opinion, damage reputations and potentially contribute to tension within society.
Journalists were therefore encouraged to cross-check information with reliable sources before publishing reports, particularly when the information concerns allegations of criminal conduct, electoral disputes or statements attributed to political actors.
Ethical Reporting
The legal practitioner also called for strict adherence to professional ethics.
He urged journalists to distinguish between news reports, opinion pieces, commentary and political propaganda, saying that audiences should be able to clearly understand the nature of the information being presented to them.
He further encouraged media organisations to provide opportunities for individuals or organisations mentioned negatively in reports to respond where appropriate.
2027 Elections
The approach of the 2027 general elections is expected to increase demand for political news across traditional and digital media platforms.
The lawyer urged journalists covering the elections to remain professional and avoid becoming instruments for spreading misinformation, inflammatory content or politically motivated claims.
He also encouraged journalists to familiarise themselves with relevant electoral laws and regulations so they can properly explain electoral developments to the public.
According to him, responsible journalism can contribute significantly to peaceful elections by giving voters access to accurate information and allowing competing political viewpoints to receive fair coverage.
Call for Professional Responsibility
The lawyer further advised editors, publishers, reporters, bloggers and other digital media practitioners to maintain proper editorial procedures before releasing sensitive information to the public.
He stressed that speed should not take precedence over accuracy, particularly in an era where information can spread rapidly through social media platforms.
Journalists were encouraged to maintain proper records of interviews, documents and sources used in their reports, especially where a publication could subsequently become the subject of a legal dispute.
The call comes as political parties, candidates and supporters increasingly turn to traditional and digital media platforms to communicate their messages ahead of the 2027 elections.
The legal expert maintained that a credible media environment would be essential to ensuring that Nigerians receive reliable information with which to make informed decisions.
He therefore urged journalists to see their profession not merely as a means of disseminating information, but as an important institution in Nigeria’s democratic system.
He called on media practitioners to combine freedom of expression with accuracy, fairness, independence and respect for the law as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.