Onyeche Wofurum Igwe
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Media Awareness and Information for All Network (MAIN) have extended their training workshop for Media Chief Executives and Content Creators on integrating Media and Information Literacy (MIL) into editorial policy to southern Nigeria.
The workshop, held on June 4-5, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, aimed to strengthen ethical media practice among practitioners.
Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, Aniekan Umanah, declared the workshop open, highlighting the threat of conflict and disturbance of public peace when misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech are disseminated through media.
Umanah emphasized the need for editors and gatekeepers to verify information sources before dissemination.
The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State government to supporting the media and promoting ethical journalism.
He thanked the organizers for their efforts in strengthening media practice.
The Head of UNESCO Abuja Office, Albert Mendy, represented by Yachat Nuhu, explained that the world is witnessing an accelerated transformation in the media and communication landscape driven by digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
Yachat emphasized that media professionals are guardians of truth, champions of democratic values, and pillars of civic education.
She stated that the training workshop is a strategic intervention aimed at equipping media professionals with critical thinking skills, ethical grounding, and practical tools to navigate complex information environments responsibly.
The Chairman of MAIN, Jide Jimoh, represented by Charles Obot, highlighted the menace of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
He emphasized the need for action to stem the tide and provide media professionals with the required skills to tackle these issues without causing harm to society.
The Director of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Uyo Zone, Henry Asagba, thanked UNESCO and MAIN for the timely and appropriate training.
He stressed the need for media houses to adopt MIL competencies in news production and dissemination to gain public confidence.
The Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Yemisi Bamgbose, said the workshop was apt in ending the era of biased reporting, misinformation, and disinformation.
He called on media chief executives to prioritize public interest and media ethics above any other consideration.
