The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Public Enlightenment, Projects and Policies, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, has charged online publishers to prioritise accuracy, truth and professional ethics in their reportage to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy and promote national stability.
Ifeajika gave the charge on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, while delivering a goodwill message at the 2026 Annual Lecture Series of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), held under the theme, “Democracy Under Pressure,” with the sub-theme, “Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria.”
He emphasised that responsible journalism was critical to protecting electoral integrity, addressing security challenges and strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to him, the rapid spread of information in the digital age makes accuracy and verification indispensable, warning that the publication of unverified information could undermine national stability.
“In journalism, the injunction is to be fast with the news, but there is a caveat: you must be accurate with the news. Even as you try to be fast, you must not compromise accuracy or truth,” he said.
The governor’s aide noted that the media had a significant responsibility in shaping public opinion, particularly at a time when democracy faced threats arising not only from external pressures but also from internal weaknesses.
He urged online publishers to rise above sensationalism and become reliable sources of verified information, constructive criticism and public enlightenment.
Ifeajika described the media as an important pillar of democratic governance, stressing that its responsibility extended beyond reporting events to helping citizens understand issues, hold public officials accountable and make informed decisions.
He maintained that security challenges often thrived in environments characterised by fear, misinformation and disinformation, noting that headlines and news reports could either heighten public anxiety or strengthen citizens’ confidence and resilience.
“Your headlines possess the power either to inflame anxiety or to fortify civic resilience,” he told the publishers.
On media accountability, Ifeajika clarified that professional responsibility should not be interpreted as a restriction on press freedom but as a necessary safeguard for credible journalism and democratic development.
He encouraged journalists to hold governments, public institutions and their officials accountable while ensuring that their reports remained fair, factual and consistent with the ethics of the profession.
The former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Governor of the State further challenged online publishers to use their platforms to filter misinformation, reject sensationalism and promote reports that educate the public, protect constitutional democracy and advance the common good.
He also urged media practitioners to familiarise themselves with the Nigerian Constitution and relevant professional guidelines to strengthen their capacity to discharge their duties confidently and responsibly.
According to him, adherence to professional standards would enhance public trust, improve the credibility of media organisations and reinforce the integrity of individual practitioners.
Ifeajika commended the DOPF leadership and the organising committee for convening the lecture series, expressing optimism that the deliberations would produce practical recommendations for strengthening democratic governance in Delta State and Nigeria.
He wished participants fruitful deliberations and urged them to translate the insights from the lecture into professional practices that would contribute to a more informed citizenry and a stronger democratic culture.
The DOPF annual lecture series brought together media practitioners and other stakeholders to examine the pressures confronting Nigeria’s democracy, with particular attention to electoral credibility, security concerns and the media’s responsibility in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
