The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged online publishers to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and professionalism in their reportage, particularly as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The governor also called on media practitioners to resist the spread of misinformation, hate speech and inflammatory content.
He stressed that responsible journalism remains critical to protecting democratic values, promoting national unity and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, made the call on Wednesday October 21, 2026, at the 2026 Annual Conference and 7th Annual Lecture Series of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), held in Asaba.
The conference was themed *“Democracy Under Pressure: Electoral Integrity, Security Challenges and Media Accountability in Nigeria.”*
Commending the leadership and members of DOPF for sustaining the platform for public discourse, the governor described the conference theme as timely and relevant to the major challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.
He noted that democratic stability depended not only on the conduct of elections but also on public trust, security, responsible communication and accountable leadership.
According to him, credible elections confer legitimacy on government, while adequate security enables citizens to participate freely in the democratic process and accountable institutions sustain public confidence in governance.
He stressed that protecting these democratic values required the collective commitment of government, electoral bodies, political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations and the media.
The governor particularly highlighted the growing influence of online publishing, noting that digital media had expanded access to information and created greater opportunities for citizens to participate in public affairs.
However, he cautioned that the speed and extensive reach of digital platforms could also facilitate the rapid spread of false information, hate speech and inflammatory content before the facts were properly established.
“This is why professionalism matters,” he said, urging online publishers to make accuracy, fairness and balance the guiding principles of their reporting.
Oborevwori maintained that press freedom was fundamental to democracy but must be accompanied by a strong sense of responsibility, respect for the rights of others and commitment to the wider interests of society.
He said the responsibility of the media would become even more significant as the country approached the 2027 general elections, when citizens would depend on credible information to assess candidates, evaluate policies and make informed electoral choices.
The governor urged media organisations to prioritise substantive discussions on issues, ideas and policies rather than allow misinformation, personal attacks and divisive rhetoric to dominate public discourse.
He acknowledged that political competition was an essential feature of democracy but cautioned that differences in political affiliations, candidates and policy preferences should not threaten the unity and peace of communities.
He therefore charged online publishers to promote informed debate, verify claims and resist the temptation to sacrifice public interest for sensationalism or online engagement.
On accountability, Oborevwori called for mutual responsibility between government and the media, insisting that public officials must remain open to scrutiny, answer legitimate questions and acknowledge areas requiring improvement.
He equally urged journalists and publishers to uphold the standards of integrity and fairness they demand from public office holders.
“Criticism is not an obstacle to good governance when it is factual and constructive. It helps government identify gaps, improve performance and remain responsive to the people,” he said.
Speaking on his administration’s relationship with the media, the governor reaffirmed Delta State Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and constructive engagement with journalists and publishers.
He described the press as an important partner in informing citizens, drawing attention to public concerns and strengthening democratic participation.
According to him, the state government would continue to support an environment in which journalists and publishers could discharge their legitimate responsibilities freely and professionally.
He said the administration’s MORE Agenda remained focused on meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security.
The governor listed infrastructure, education, healthcare, job creation and human capital development among the administration’s priority areas, noting that the success of these initiatives should ultimately be measured by their impact on the lives of the people.
He urged the media to report government achievements accurately, scrutinise shortcomings fairly and draw the attention of relevant authorities to citizens’ concerns as part of efforts to improve governance.
Oborevwori further encouraged DOPF and other media organisations to sustain the engagement beyond the conference, urging participants to translate the deliberations into practical recommendations for improving electoral integrity, addressing security challenges and promoting responsible digital publishing.
He said Nigeria must strive towards a democracy in which citizens could trust the electoral process, express their opinions without fear and hold leaders accountable without undermining national peace and unity.
The governor congratulated DOPF on the successful organisation of the conference and commended participants for their commitment to public discourse and democratic development.
He expressed optimism that the discussions would produce useful insights and recommendations capable of strengthening democratic institutions and improving media practice in Nigeria.
He subsequently declared the 2026 DOPF Annual Conference and Seventh Annual Lecture Series closed.
