By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has stressed that in this era of misinformation and fake news with the advent of the social media, traditional media broadcasters should intensify credible broadcasting which is ever important.
He therefore urged Nigerian broadcasters to place premium on verification, accuracy and responsible reporting in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation.
Bala Mohammed gave the charge on Monday in Bauchi at the 3rd Annual Conference and induction of new members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, (SNB), held at the Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre (ICC).
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Auwal Jatau, said that in an era where manipulated contents can travel around the world in seconds, credible broadcasting has never been more important.
He spoke at the conference themed: “Responsible Broadcasting in an Election Year: Countering Misinformation, Promoting Peace and Strengthening Democracy,” which had media gurus and broadcasters in attendance.
The Governor said that his administration has invested over N3billion in modernizing state-owned media outfits to drive digital broadcasting and credible information dissemination.
He also said that the investment covers the installation of state-of-the-art digital broadcasting facilities at Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) and Bauchi State Television (BATV) to reposition them for global competitiveness.
Bala Mohammed noted that credible broadcasting remains critical to combating misinformation, strengthening public trust and promoting constructive dialogue, especially as the nation moves towards the 2027 general elections.
According to him, responsible broadcasting is a panacea for peace, national unity and democratic consolidation, hence the need for government at all levels to support the media industry.
Bala Mohammed commended the SNB for choosing Bauchi to host the conference with the theme: “Responsible Broadcasting in an Election Year: Countering Misinformation, Promoting Peace and Strengthening Democracy,” describing it as timely and apt.
“I urge practitioners to continue placing premium on verification, accuracy and responsible reporting, and to maintain a clear distinction between facts, analysis, commentary and opinion,” Bala Mohammed said.
The Governor commended the SNB for sustaining a democratic process through which its members renew their leadership, noting that the conference will feature the election of a new Executive Council.
According to him, leadership transition is one of the clearest tests of the strength and maturity of any institution.
“I therefore commend the society for sustaining a democratic process through which its members can renew their leadership,” he said.
Bala Mohammed urged members to use the meeting to reflect on achievements, confront emerging challenges, strengthen professional bonds and chart a responsible course for broadcasting in Nigeria.
On his part, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said the Federal Government has invested significantly in public and private broadcasting in view of its contributions to national development.
Earlier, the National President of SNB, Professor Umar Pate, had called for greater integration of technology into digital broadcasting to enhance credible, accurate and timely reporting ahead of the election
The conference featured induction of new members and was attended by top government officials, media executives, veteran broadcasters, and Mass Communication students.
Among those present were Prof. Umaru Pate, President of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, Media Chief Executives from across the country and Mrs. Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director and CEO of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, (WSCIJ} among many others.
New members from across the country were inducted into the society thereby increasing its membership strength.
