The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has cautioned against the spread of fake news, saying it poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s development and unity.
The Director-General (DG) of the Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, stated this while receiving the executive members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, in his office at Cocoa House, Ibadan, during a courtesy visit.
He urged journalists to always uphold professional ethics and resist the temptation to amplify misinformation, noting that the media remains a critical stakeholder in nation-building and must therefore continue to play its role responsibly by promoting accurate, balanced, and development-oriented reporting.
Oyeleye stated that fake news has the potential to undermine public trust, fuel divisions, and derail national progress if not checked by professional journalists.
He said: “Fake news can destroy. Journalists must not abdicate their responsibilities to non-professionals. You hold a critical place in Nigeria’s development history and must remain committed to truth and responsible journalism.”
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The DG cautioned media practitioners against focusing solely on negative stories, noting that such an approach could damage the country’s image and discourage development.
He stated: “You don’t have to like any government, but you must love your country. Genuine and factual reporting can change the country and drive development. If you only report bad news, you are harming your country. We must portray Nigeria in a positive light while remaining truthful and professional.”
Oyeleye stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the media and development institutions in advancing the South-West’s development agenda and tackling emerging challenges confronting the region.
He also expressed concern over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
“We will continue to work with our principals and the media to ensure that Oriire does not happen again in the Southwest. We must not allow terrorism to take root in this region. If that happens, it could have far-reaching consequences for the country,” Oyeleye noted.
The Commission’s Head of Media Department, Mr Segun Balogun, also disclosed plans to deepen engagement with journalists through media awards, annual lectures, training programmes, and strategic partnerships focused on regional development.
He reiterated the Commission’s readiness to support capacity building for journalists, particularly in digital media and development reporting.
