Beyond the Headlines: Folarin and Umukoro Urge Nigerian Journalists to Reclaim Their Role as Guardians of Truth

The media’s constitutional mandate demands public accountability and ethical responsibility, says Dr. Jamiu Folarin, a researcher, journalist, and lecturer at Crescent University.

Speaking at the event themed “Media Agenda Setting: How Media Can Lead Better Public Conversations,” Dr. Folarin emphasized that “There is no profession in Nigeria with responsibilities enshrined in the constitution like the media,” noting that Section 22 gives the press a unique duty— to hold power to account. “That responsibility is the foundation of agenda setting,” he said.

THE U.S. FIRST AMENDMENT AS A GLOBAl MODEL

Drawing parallels between Nigeria and global democracies, Dr. Folarin referenced the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as a historical benchmark for freedom of the press. He explained that this clause, which prohibits lawmakers from passing any law that abridges freedom of expression or the press, has inspired similar protections in nations like Nigeria.

“Freedom of expression is not exclusive to journalists— it’s a universal right,” he explained. “However, the press is constitutionally tasked with accountability, not just expression.”

CHALLENGES TO PRESS FREEDOM IN NIGERIA

Despite these constitutional guarantees, Dr. Folarin noted that economic barriers, licensing costs, and media monopolies have created a gap between the theoretical right to freedom of expression and its real-world application.

He argued that while Nigerian journalists are legally empowered, the realities of ownership and financial pressure often stifle ethical agenda setting and investigative reporting.

ETHICS, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE JOURNALIST’S ROLE

Looking ahead, Dr. Folarin urged media practitioners to embrace ethics, professionalism, and technological advancement. He warned that failure to evolve with the digital media landscape would render many obsolete.

“He who fails to be technologically savvy will be thrown into the dustbin of history,” he declared.

He advocated for solution journalism— reporting that doesn’t just highlight problems but provides context and possible ways forward— as a strategy for shaping productive public discourse.

BRIDGING THE GAP: NEWSROOM AND CLASSROOM

Calling for systemic reform, Dr. Folarin appealed to policymakers to restructure journalism education in Nigeria. He stressed the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that students graduate with practical skills and ethical grounding.

“We must align our journalism curriculum with the demands of modern media practice,” he said. “There is a need for a national communication policy that promotes impactful and ethical storytelling.”

ETHICS AS THE CORNERSTONE

Dr. Folarin concluded his presentation by urging media professionals to revisit journalism ethics, particularly around fact-checking and verification and prioritize narratives that serve the public interest. “Ethics drives professionalism,” he noted.

As the session continued, Lady E Ejiro Umukoro, the Founder and Publisher of LightRay! Media who is also a Policy Expert spoke on the need to “Focus on stories that matters that drives community journalism.”

She urged Nigerian media professionals to shift their focus toward community-centered reporting that addresses real issues affecting people at the grassroots.

Expanding on the theme of the conversation: “Media Agenda Setting: How Media Can Lead Better Public Conversations,” she warned against allowing algorithms and monetization to dictate editorial priorities, emphasizing that meaningful engagement should be driven by public interest, not just profit.

The veteran broadcaster and media literacy advocate led the session as she unpacked the evolution of media agenda-setting and its declining integrity in today’s hyper-politicized media space.

“Agenda setting was born out of mass communication’s need to reach the largest audience effectively,” said Umukoro. “But what started as information sharing has become a mechanism to control narratives— not just what people think about, but now how they think.”

FROM PUBLIC INTEREST TO POLITICAL SPIN

Umukoro lamented that in Nigeria, over 90% of media houses are owned by political actors or connected interests, undermining journalistic independence. According to her, media agendas today are largely driven by politics, not by public service.

“The media no longer sets agendas in the public interest. What dominates headlines is politics— because it sells. Print media sets the tone, and broadcast outlets follow without verification,” she stated.

She described how social media influencers have hijacked traditional media’s role, manipulating public conversations without the checks and balances historically provided by legacy journalism.

GENDER BIAS, TRUST DEFICIT, AND SOLUTIONS

Highlighting gender imbalances, Umukoro criticized traditional print media for being male-centric in agenda-setting, with most sources and references excluding women’s voices.

She also identified a growing deficit of trust in Nigerian media, warning that credibility is now the most valuable currency in information dissemination.

“The media must understand their audiences— what they want, how they consume content, and when,” she urged. “Trust is the only way forward.”

PATH FORWARD: LITERACY, ENGAGEMENT, AND COMMUNITY FOCUS

To address these challenges, Umukoro recommended a media literacy revolution, rigorous fact-checking, and a shift toward community-centered content.

She encouraged journalists to engage actively with their audience, correct misleading headlines, and ensure that social media interactions are grounded in truth and context.

“Don’t just inform— engage,” she said. “Correct misinformation, track feedback, and ensure your content empowers people to make informed decisions.”

She further emphasized that journalism is a civic responsibility, and those who wish to remain relevant must evolve with professionalism, accuracy, and purpose.

“What we do remains important. Certification alone is not enough— experience, integrity, and media independence are essential,” she concluded, stating that “Journalism is worth dying for, because it’s about the truth.”

The session held on X drew participation from young media practitioners and veterans, including the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, and was convened by multimedia journalist, Toheeb Babalola, alongside innovative journalist, Noah Aderoju, who moderated the session aimed to critically explore how media professionals can reclaim their role in shaping meaningful public discourse, amid growing influence from social media influencers and opinion-driven content.