Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has asked journalists in the country to uphold standards and ethics of the media profession.
The governor made the after noting the impact of digital technology in the media space. He called on media practitioners to be wary of quacks who are out to destroy the profession.
AbdulRazaq, who spoke through his Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saadu Salahu, at the grand finale of the 2025 Press Week of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin, cautioned that press freedom was not a leeway to peddle fake news.
The event had in attendance top government officials and the Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, Oba Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Oyatoye Olufayo II.
The Governor said it was fundamental for media organisations to avoid lending their platforms to misinformation and disinformation to maintain public confidence and trust.
AbdulRazaq congratulated NUJ for its partnership with the state government in its vision to ensure that Kwara is one of the best governed states in Nigeria.
“I want to call on our colleagues here not to join those who are in the habit of engaging and reporting fake news and misinformation. But I also know that those who are found there are not among professional journalists.
“And this is why it is important for those of us who are professionals to take charge of the media space so that those who are quacks will not destroy our profession for us.
“Freedom for the press, in any way, is a not a license for misinformation, disinformation and fake news. It is on this note that I want to commend all our colleagues who stick to ethics of our profession in fact checking whatever that they come across before publishing, in ensuring that the people of Kwara State and indeed Nigerians are informed with accurate and veritable facts in their dissemination of information.
“It is important to know that digital technology in no way undermines the need for professionalism in news reportage. Digital technology does not constitute obstacle to practitioners to abide with ethics of our profession.
The Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Titiloye Oyatoye Olufayo II, who also spoke at the ceremony, lauded professional journalists for always upholding the principles and fundamentals of journalism in their reportage.
He expressed concern over the manner with which fake news spread in the society, urging strict adherence to the rules of engagement.
In his remarks, the state Chairman of NUJ, ‘Lanre Ahmed Abdullateef, said the week was organized for members to rejoice, unwind, interact with one another and reflect on the journalism profession in the last 12 months.
He thanked members for their commitment and steadfastness in restoring the glory of the union.
Ahmed expressed satisfaction with the support the union has received from the administration of Governor AbdulRazaq and applauded the media team of the state government for their solidarity.
He pledged that members of the pen profession in the state would continue to discharge their duties patriotically and professionally while rallying behind government policies and programmes that promote development.