Chairman of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, has warned that the lack of ethical journalism and media accountability poses a serious threat to democratic governance and development.
Olorunyomi, who spoke at the DevReporting onboarding event, emphasised that democracy’s key challenge is no longer about whether it is desirable, but how to build states that are effective, inclusive, and accountable to citizens.
“A free and independent press is vital to democratic society. Journalism must play its three fundamental roles as watchdog, agenda-setter, and gatekeeper in order to strengthen democracy and promote development,” he said.
He criticised what he described as the false debate about whether democracy is good or bad, calling it a distraction from the more urgent task of making democracy function more effectively.
Olorunyomi identified four core principles that connect journalism to democratic accountability – truthful and accurate reporting, effective verification, independence, and a dedication to public purpose. These, he said, are necessary for citizens to understand facts in context, respond appropriately, and shape their own solutions.
He urged journalists to ground their work in these principles, adding that journalism must be seen as an enterprise of verification where every piece of information shared can be traced, tested, and confirmed.
He warned that at a time when disinformation is rapidly spreading, bad information is systematically weakening both journalism and democracy.
Citing theorists who have studied disinformation, he said journalistic disruption is enabling misinformation to flourish unchecked.
“Democracy and journalism are both going through an internal transformation, but never before in modern history have both the foundation and the superstructure of democracy faced such an existential crisis,” he added.
The Team Lead of DevReporting, Mojeed Alabi, noted that the aim of DevReporting is to highlight underreported issues and distinguish itself in an era where access to mobile data has made it easy for anyone to claim the title of journalist.
He noted that to address this challenge, the platform initiated four core projects designed to deepen public engagement and policy impact through evidence-based and ethically driven journalism.
Alabi also introduced members of the board and advisory team, including respected journalists, academics, and media executives, noting that their contributions continue to shape the direction and integrity of the platform’s editorial work.
Earlier, the Managing Editor of DevReporting, Christiana Alabi-Akande, said the onboarding was not just about introducing technical advisors but also a moment to acknowledge the influence and legacy of industry leaders who continue to inspire change across various sectors.
She added that DevReporting is committed to development journalism that goes beyond simply reporting news to investigating, explaining, and inspiring solutions to the challenges facing communities but to amplify the voices of the underserved, highlight neglected issues, and promote inclusive and equitable development.
