Media, power and responsibility

In every society, stories shape the way people understand the world around them. They influence how citizens interpret power, injustice, conflict, identity and even hope. Journalism and mass communication, therefore, go far beyond simply reporting events; they help define meaning. A story is not just a collection of facts. A story is a narrative that carries a message, and every journalist must constantly ask: what is the message behind what I am reporting? This is why journalism is not merely a profession but a civic duty. The stories journalists choose to tell—or ignore—have real consequences for society.

At its core, journalism shapes how societies understand major issues. Stories determine how people interpret crises, how they see leaders and how communities respond to injustice. When journalists frame an issue in a particular way, they influence public perception and public reaction. History itself is shaped by the stories that are preserved and the ones that are forgotten. This responsibility places enormous weight on the work of journalists and communicators. What you report today could influence how future generations understand an event, a conflict or even an entire nation.

One of the clearest examples of the power of storytelling can be seen in the Rwanda genocide of 1994. During this tragic period, radio stations were used not to promote understanding or peace but to spread hatred and propaganda. For years, tensions had been building between the Hutu majority and the Tutsi minority, tensions partly shaped by colonial policies that elevated one group over the other. These divisions deepened mistrust and competition for power. When the plane carrying Rwanda’s President was shot down in April 1994, extremist voices seized the moment. Radio broadcasts labelled Tutsis as enemies and even referred to them as “cockroaches,” encouraging violence against them. Over the course of about 100 days, more than 800,000 people were killed, and millions fled their homes. This tragedy illustrates how dangerous media can become when it is used irresponsibly. Instead of informing society, it fuelled violence and mass murder.

But media can also drive justice and social awareness. Consider the killing of George Floyd in the United States in 2020. Initially, it was a local incident—one man dying during an arrest. However, the video of the event circulated widely and was repeatedly shared on social media, analyzed and reported by mainstream media. The way the story was told, the persistence of journalists and the visibility of the footage turned the incident into a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality. Without sustained attention, both online and in mainstream media, it might have become another forgotten tragedy. Instead, storytelling helped spark protests, policy debates and worldwide reflection on race and policing.

Another key function of journalism is agenda-setting. The media may not always tell people what to think, but it often tells them what to think about. Issues become urgent when they dominate headlines and public discussion. Conversely, when the media remains silent about an issue, society may ignore it, even if it affects millions of people. In this way, silence can be as powerful as coverage.

A good example of this dynamic occurred in Nigeria during the #EndSARS protests in 2020. For years, many Nigerians had complained about police brutality, particularly involving a unit known for harassment and abuse. Yet for a long time, these complaints did not receive sustained national attention. It was only when social media posts, eyewitness videos and continuous reporting by news organizations amplified these stories that the issue became a national and global conversation. Young people documented their experiences, survivors shared testimonies and journalists ensured that the stories did not disappear from public discourse. At a certain point, some editors questioned whether the story had run its course. But on the streets, protesters felt that the movement had just begun. That moment demonstrated the importance of journalism standing at the intersection between public anger and institutional accountability.

One of the most important responsibilities of journalism is giving a voice to the voiceless. In many societies, powerful individuals and institutions already have platforms, resources and influence. They have microphones. They can shape narratives in their favour. Those at the margins of society—such as displaced people, victims of conflict or vulnerable communities—often lack such platforms. Journalism helps amplify their stories and bring their struggles into public view.

In Nigeria, investigative reporting on internally displaced persons (IDPs) has shown how powerful storytelling can be. Media reports exposing hunger, corruption and poor living conditions in displacement camps forced attention from government agencies. Without these stories, the suffering of thousands might have remained invisible. Journalism, in such cases, becomes a bridge between forgotten communities and the wider society.

Beyond amplifying voices, journalism also plays a critical role as a check on power. The media is often referred to as the Fourth Estate, standing alongside the executive, judiciary and legislature as a pillar of democracy. Its responsibility is to question authority, demand accountability and expose abuse of power. When journalists investigate wrongdoing, they help protect citizens from exploitation and injustice.

Investigative work has revealed numerous abuses in institutions that were supposed to protect and educate people. Undercover reports exposing bribery, academic corruption and exploitation of students demonstrate how journalism can bring hidden problems into the open. When such stories are told, institutions are forced to respond, reforms are demanded and victims are no longer ignored. Journalism, in these moments, acts as a safeguard for society.

However, the power of the media also comes with great danger if used irresponsibly. Journalism can heal, but it can also harm. Poor reporting, misinformation or sensationalism can inflame tensions, destroy reputations and even lead to violence. History offers many examples of this danger.

The invasion of Iraq in 2003 is one case where flawed information had massive consequences. The war was justified partly on claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. These claims were widely reported and repeated, yet later investigations showed that such weapons did not exist. The war caused immense destruction, loss of life and instability in the region. This example highlights why journalists must question sources, verify facts and resist pressure to report claims that cannot be substantiated.

Closer to home, misinformation during elections can be equally dangerous. False results, manipulated videos and ethnic propaganda can heighten tensions and deepen divisions. In Nigeria’s history, narratives surrounding past conflicts, including claims about the origins of certain coups or ethnic blame, have shaped perceptions and fuelled mistrust. When unverified information spreads during crises, it can worsen panic and inflame ethnic tensions. This is why responsible journalism must prioritize accuracy over speed, context over sensationalism and humanity over the desire for attention or clicks.

Journalists are, therefore, moral actors. They are not neutral machines simply transmitting information. Every decision in journalism involves judgment: what headline to write, which photograph to publish, what angle to emphasize and whose voice to include. These decisions influence how audiences understand a story. Ethical journalism requires constant reflection on the impact of those choices.

The digital age has made this responsibility even more complex. In the past, traditional media organizations served as gatekeepers of information. Today, social media platforms have removed many of those barriers. Information travels faster than ever before, and anyone can publish content to a global audience within seconds. While this has democratized communication, it has also increased the spread of misinformation and reduced the time available for verification.

Journalists now compete not only with other news organizations but also with influencers, bloggers and algorithms that prioritize engagement over accuracy. A single tweet can move financial markets, spark protests or damage reputations within minutes. In such an environment, the temptation to prioritize speed and virality over ethics becomes strong. But the fundamental principles of journalism remain the same: verify information, provide context and act with integrity.

Ultimately, the question facing students and aspiring journalists is not simply whether they want to work in media but what kind of communicator they want to become.

Journalism is a choice about values as much as it is a career path. It requires courage, responsibility, and a commitment to truth.

Students must ask themselves important questions: Will I chase relevance or responsibility? Will I amplify truth or echo power? Will I use my voice to inform society or to manipulate it? These choices determine the kind of journalist—or citizen—they become.

Stories will always shape societies. They influence policy, spark movements, challenge injustice, and sometimes even change the course of history. Because of this, those who tell stories carry immense power. The challenge is to use that power wisely, ethically, and in service of the public good. Journalism, when practiced responsibly, remains one of the most important forces for accountability, understanding, and social progress in any society.

Finally, it’s important to bridge the gap between the classroom and Industry. It is useful for journalists to give lectures to students because they bring real-world newsroom experience, practical insights, and current industry trends that help students better understand how journalism works beyond textbooks.

• Ikokwu, Arise TV alanalyst and anchor, delivered this lecture at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, Igbariam Campus, Anambra State