By Chinenye Anuforo
Chairman and Publisher of The Sun Newspapers, Neya Kalu, has addressed the critical role of media literacy and responsible communication in today’s information landscape.
Kalu, who represented her father, Orji Uzo Kalu, during the 5th edition of Timeline Awareness Initiative Lecture/Awards, in Lagos, said: “Gone are the days of limited news sources. We are now flooded with information from social media, instant messaging, and a constant news cycle.”
While acknowledging the immense potential of the ‘digital ocean’ for citizen journalism, accountability, and global collaboration, Kalu emphasised the accompanying challenges.
“Misinformation, weaponised narratives, and sensationalised headlines can create fertile ground for discord and national division,” she cautioned.
She outlined a three-pronged approach to navigating the new normal, including Media Literacy: Equipping citizens with critical thinking skills to discern truth from falsehood and become responsible consumers of online content; Responsible Journalism: Upholding ethical practices, fact-checking, and presenting all sides of an issue fairly are crucial for fostering trust in journalism and an informed public, and Accountable Leaders: Leaders must actively engage with the public and new media, combat misinformation with transparency, and promote unity by highlighting shared values.
“A well-informed, unified, and engaged public is our strongest defense,” Kalu declared, saying, “By promoting media literacy and fostering open and responsible communication, we can harness the power of the new media for good while mitigating its risks.
“In this ever-evolving security landscape, safeguarding the minds that make our nation strong is paramount.”
The guest speaker, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President and a veteran journalist, Bayo Onanuga, called out the dangers of social media sensationalism, arguing it poses a significant threat to national security.
He lamented the decline of traditional media gatekeeping and the rise of unfiltered information on social media platforms.
He highlighted the spread of ‘fake news’, ‘misinformation’, and ‘disinformation’ as major concerns, distorting reality and inciting panic.
Onanuga pointed to fabricated stories about government officials and inflated kidnapping statistics as examples of how sensational headlines paint a misleading picture.
He argued that such content can damage reputations, stoke public fear, and be weaponized by those seeking to manipulate public opinion.
The veteran journalist placed the blame on the rise of ‘Big Tech’ companies like Google and Meta, who he believes opened the door for anyone with a smartphone to become a ‘journalist’.
This, according to Onanuga, has led to a decline in journalistic ethics and the erosion of gatekeeping practices that once ensured information accuracy.
However, Onanuga did not advocate strict social media regulation, instead, he emphasised personal responsibility and patriotism as the antidotes.
He urged Nigerians to be media-literate and avoid spreading misinformation online.
The call for responsible social media use comes amidst growing concerns about the negative influence of the platforms.
Earlier this year, Nigeria’s national security advisor echoed similar concerns, highlighting the dangers of fake news and social media manipulation.