Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Motunrayo Alaka, has urged broadcast professionals to verify contents and contexts to address misinformation and disinformation.
Speaking at the third yearly national conference of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) held in Bauchi State, she observed misinformation is attacking truth, and truth is struggling to catch up.

Themed, ‘Responsible broadcasting in an election year: Countering misinformation, promoting peace and strengthening democracy,’ Alaka argued information environment is becoming more complex.

Saying technology is making the production and circulation of false information easier, she added the regulatory environment is demanding greater professionalism while generating important debates about the boundaries of regulation and media freedom.

Speaking further, she called for broadcasters who will follow the money, question official version, examine regulatory failure, investigate abuse of pix: power, expose exploitation and return to stories after the headlines have disappeared.

To her, broadcasting remains so powerful despite the extraordinary disruption brought by digital media because it can reach people where they are.

She observed, “a farmer can listen to radio; a trader can listen while working; a driver can hear discussion on the road; a young person can watch programme on a phone; a community can gather around a radio set; a family can watch television together. Broadcasting can bring information to people across levels of literacy, geography, language and income. This makes broadcasting one of the most accessible communication technologies ever created.”

Alaka also referred to the broadcaster as a bridge– a bridge between citizens and institutions; between policy and lived experience; between power and accountability; between conflict and dialogue; between information and understanding; between the present and the historical memory of a people and ultimately, between the citizen and democracy.

She further highlighted five ways broadcasters can be socially responsible:

She advised, “first, verify before you air, particularly when a story confirms what you already believe. The most persuasive misinformation is often the claim that fits neatly into an existing political, ethnic, religious or ideological narrative. That is precisely when professional scepticism becomes most important. Fact-checking organisations can support newsroom verification, but verification must ultimately remain a newsroom discipline.”

Second, she suggested, “protect your people (journalists) in the field. Every station sending reporters, correspondents, camera operators or producers into the field during this election cycle should have a documented safety protocol. It should include communication and check-in arrangements, emergency contacts, legal support, basic risk assessment and clear guidance on when a journalist should withdraw. Safety should be treated as part of the cost of professional journalism.”

She noted, “give citizens meaningful access to information about political choices. Fairness is more than allocating airtime. It means giving citizens enough information to understand candidates, their records, their policies, their priorities and their plans. It means asking comparable questions of people seeking comparable offices, examining manifestoes, checking claims, allowing candidates to respond and helping audiences distinguish political promises from demonstrated evidence.”

Alaka stressed need to distinguish news, analysis and opinion clearly.

To her, “commentary has a legitimate place in broadcasting. Analysts have a legitimate place. Presenters can have perspectives. What matters is clarity. Audiences should know when they are receiving verified news, informed analysis, expert interpretation or opinion. That distinction strengthens trust.”

Lastly, she urged broadcasters to follow stories after election day.

Despite challenges associated with AI, Alaka also shared opportunities.

She stated, “AI can assist with some routine work, support transcription, translation, archive searches, data organisation, monitoring, research assistance and the production of explainers. It can help understaffed newsrooms work more efficiently, produce multilingual content and transform complex information into accessible formats. It can potentially free journalists to spend more time on the work that gives journalism its human value: building relationships, understanding communities, cultivating sources, exercising judgement, verifying claims and investigating power.”

In addition, she expressed optimism, s ‘I see enormous possibilities here. Imagine broadcasters using AI-assisted production to create high-quality educational content on Nigerian history, culture, science, civic education, agriculture, financial literacy, youth development and public policy. Imagine programmes that explain subjects taught in schools in accessible language. Imagine explainers that help citizens understand the national budget, public procurement, legislation, electoral procedures or how government policy affects everyday life. Some of this is of course already happening. Tingo AI Radio 102.5 FM in Lagos, for instance, has been described as Africa’s first fully AI-powered radio station. Whatever label we attach to it, developments of this kind show how quickly the boundaries of broadcasting are changing. These are interesting developments that we must interrogate carefully, seeking greater clarity while ensuring that ethics remains central as we adapt and innovate.”

In conclusion, she said, “as the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters gathers here in Bauchi, I invite us to see this moment as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the highest possibilities of broadcasting, and to the responsibility that comes with being heard by millions.’

During the conference, the immediate past Vice- Chancellor, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umaru Pate, was unanimously re-elected as SNB President for another two years.

In his acceptance speech, the don acknowledged members for trusting him with another term and urged them to remain committed observe ethical and responsible broadcasting.