…Anaba urges media to uphold credibility, accuracy, independence
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, has charged editors across the country to protect the credibility of the electoral process and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Anaba made the call in his welcome address at the 22nd Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference held in Enugu, with the theme, “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive.”
He said the media had a critical responsibility to ensure that citizens received credible and accurate information necessary to make informed electoral choices, while also holding political actors and public institutions accountable.
According to him, the credibility of the ballot must be protected to ensure that the outcome of elections reflects the choices of voters rather than leaving the courts to determine who should represent the people.
“The credibility of the ballot must be protected so that the courts do not have to replace the citizenry in determining who should represent the people,” Anaba said.
He stressed that the ballot could only serve its democratic purpose when voters were properly informed and allowed to make their choices freely, without intimidation or undue influence.
The NGE president consequently urged editors to remain committed to verification, independence, accuracy, fairness, accountability and courage, particularly as the media landscape faces growing challenges from social media, artificial intelligence, deepfakes and the rapid spread of misinformation.
“As editors, we must remain above board in an increasingly polarised environment. We must not become agents of disorder. Neither should we display contradictory tendencies that cause the citizenry to question our credibility,” he said.
Anaba said the media’s overriding responsibility was to serve the public interest by informing citizens, scrutinising those in authority and providing space for diverse voices.
He maintained that the legitimacy of government depended on the consent of the people, stressing that the media had an important role to play in ensuring that citizens were able to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
The NGE president said the choice of the conference theme was informed by the approaching 2027 election cycle and concerns over political intolerance and hate speech, which he said could undermine democratic values.
He urged editors to exercise professional responsibility in their coverage of the political process and avoid conduct capable of eroding public trust in the media.
Anaba also raised concerns about the economic pressures confronting media organisations, warning that financial difficulties could affect the capacity of the press to perform its constitutional and professional responsibilities.
He stressed that a vibrant, independent and strong press remained important to the survival of democracy.
Meanwhile, Anaba disclosed that the Enugu conference would be his last Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference as president of the Guild.
He said a successor would emerge at the next Biennial Editors Conference, adding that consultations had already commenced on the leadership transition.
According to him, however, no specific coalition had yet emerged around the succession process.
Anaba described his leadership of the Guild as a privilege and thanked members for their cooperation and support during his tenure.
He also acknowledged the contributions of past presidents of the Guild and prominent figures in the Nigerian media industry, including Sam Amuka, Segun Osoba, Nduka Obaigbena, Kabiru Yusuf and John Momoh, to the development of journalism in the country.
He expressed confidence that the conference would further strengthen the capacity of editors to confront emerging challenges and enhance the role of the media in sustaining democratic governance.
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