The 8th Bagauda Kaltho Memorial Media Lecture series organised by the Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF has called for a multi-stakeholder response involving journalists, media organisations, government institutions , technology companies, civil society, educators and citizens to strengthen the information environment ahead of 2027 general elections.
The call was contained in a communique issued at the conclusion of the virtual lecture ” themed
“Courageous Journalism, Press Freedom and the Challenge of Election Misinformation Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections” to commemorate the posthumous birthday of the investigative journalist, Bagauda Kaltho.
The Communique which was signed by Titus Usman, Publisher, Jewel Treasure Newspaper Gombe, Nigeria and Sekyen Dadik, Executive Director, AMDF said protecting credible journalism is not solely the responsibility of journalists and that Citizens must develop the capacity to distinguish verified information from fabricated content, while institutions responsible for security, legislation and digital governance must create an environment in which legitimate journalism can operate effectively.
The digital transformation of the media industry, the Communique emphasized, has significantly disrupted traditional media business models, contributing to economic pressures, underpaid journalists and weakened media institutions.
The Communique observed that the approach to the 2027 general elections presents significant challenges for journalism, particularly because of the increasing use of artificial intelligence to produce fabricated election results, deepfake videos, manipulated audio and other deceptive content.
It further recommended among others, strengthened professional and ethical standards in journalism, particularly in the use and verification of digital and AI-generated content, investment in continuous training in fact-checking, digital verification, artificial intelligence and investigative journalism.
Develop stronger newsroom systems for identifying and responding to misinformation before and during elections as well as
promoting a culture of verification rather than simply reproducing information circulating on social media.
The communique noted that the legacy of journalists such as Bagauda Kaltho demonstrates the importance of courage, investigative journalism and professional commitment in holding power accountable
It also recognized the continuing relevance of the legacy of Bagauda Kaltho, whose memory provides a reminder of the risks journalists have historically faced in the pursuit of truth and public accountability.
The lecture concluded with a commitment to continue honouring Kaltho’s memory, while advancing press freedom and professional journalism in Nigeria and Africa.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, who had examined the historical contribution of journalism to Nigeria’s independence, democratic development and resistance to military rule, while highlighting the challenges confronting the profession in the digital age. .
