Former Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, has warned that Nigeria's democracy will remain exposed to manipulation if the press fails to defend truth and rebuild public trust.
Madein gave the warning on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the 50th anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ogun State Council, held at Iwe Irohin Press Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
The anniversary lecture was themed: "Truth, Trust and the Press: Protecting Democratic Choice and Rebuilding Public Trust in Journalism."
Madein described the celebration as a jubilee of courage and a renewal of the journalist's covenant with truth, noting that Ogun remains the cradle of Nigerian journalism where Iwe Irohin was founded in 1859 by Rev Henry Townsend.
She said the state has produced press icons like Aremo Olusegun Osoba and the late Chief MKO Abiola, whose June 12 struggle now defines Nigeria's Democracy Day.
She however warned that journalism is facing its fiercest test, with falsehood travelling faster than truth.
“For without truth, trust collapses; without trust, the press loses its moral authority; and without a credible press, democratic choice is left exposed to manipulation.
"Artificial intelligence offers remarkable tools, but it can also manufacture convincing deception. Social platforms reward heat, haste and outrage; journalism must still choose light, patience and verification," she said.
Madein maintained that the press does not choose for the people and must never substitute itself for INEC, the courts or the electorate.
"The noble task of the press is to equip Nigerians to choose, to defend their right to know and to ensure that those entrusted with power remain answerable," she said.
She warned journalists against vote-buying, fake endorsements, deepfakes and declaring winners before lawful announcements.
Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, congratulated the union on 50 years of commitment to democracy and development.
Abiodun said the media remains a partner in his administration's drive and charged journalists to remain fair and unbiased.
"Remain fair and unbiased in your reportage. Where there are disagreements, let the facts speak. Where there are allegations, let verification precede publication," he said.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, who spoke at the panel session, blamed weak institutions for the challenges facing journalism.
Ojajuni said regulatory bodies must enforce sanctions when guidelines are violated, calling for continuous training and retraining and lamenting that social media has made everyone claim to be a journalist.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, NUJ Ogun State Council, Wale Olarenwaju, said the anniversary is not merely for celebration but to confront an existential crisis threatening the profession.
Olarenwaju said Ogun remains the birthplace of journalism from Henry Townsend's Iwe Irohin in 1859 to the legacies of Obafemi Awolowo and Bisi Onabanjo, but warned that economic collapse, political capture and disinformation have gutted the media.
"Unpaid reporters and financially starved newsrooms cannot hold power accountable, reducing journalism to brown envelope sycophancy," he said.
He urged journalists to choose truth over access and independence over survival.
Ogun NUJ @50: Democracy at risk without credible press - Ex-AGF warns