By Our Correspondent
……….urges media to defend democracy
Enugu, Sept. 25, ’26 (TNZ) Cardinal John Onaiyekan has called for far-reaching reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections, TheNewsZenith reports.
Onaiyekan urged the media to use its freedom and professional independence to strengthen democracy and hold public institutions accountable.
TheNewsZenith reports that Onaiyekan made the call at the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ 2026 All Nigeria Editors Conference on Thursday in Enugu.
The theme of the conference is “The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive”.
“When Lies Look Real: Detecting and Debunking AI Disinformation Before, During and After Election” is the sub-theme
The clergyman, who is a former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, proposed seven changes to the electoral system.
These include reforms to the appointment of electoral commissioners and the creation of special election tribunals and greater opportunities for voters to challenge election results.
He also proposed that presidential candidates should secure at least 50 per cent of votes cast to win.
Where no candidate reaches the threshold, he suggested a second-round contest between the two leading candidates.
The Cardinal further advocated the conclusion of election cases before elected officials assume office.
He equally sought the introduction of independent candidates, and stricter rules against elected lawmakers for cross-carpeting from one political party to another.
Onaiyekan said the proposed reforms should be considered by the National Assembly that would emerge from the 2027 elections.
He also challenged journalists to play a more active role in protecting Nigeria’s democracy.
The Cardinal urged media organisations to report government policies fairly while remaining prepared to scrutinise them when necessary.
He warned journalists against allowing government, private interests or corporate organisations to compromise their professional independence.
The Cardinal also addressed the growing influence of artificial intelligence, noting that the technology presents opportunities but also risks when it operates without adequate human control.
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Information Minister: AI threatens public trust
In his address at the conference, the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris warned that artificial intelligence could make false information increasingly difficult to distinguish from genuine content.
Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali, represented the minister at the conference.
Idris said AI could be used to create convincing photographs, videos, audio recordings and documents, including fabricated statements that appear to come from public officials.
He said the danger went beyond people believing false information.
“When the public can no longer distinguish between what is true and what is fabricated, trust in the media, elections and public institutions begins to suffer,” he said.
The Minister urged editors to make verification a central part of newsroom culture.
He advised journalists to establish who made a claim, examine the evidence, verify photographs and videos, and distinguish clearly between fact, allegation and opinion before publication.
With Nigeria approaching the 2027 elections, Idris called for stronger collaboration among news organisations, fact-checking bodies, technology experts, election authorities and other credible institutions.
He said the task of professional journalism was not to amplify politically attractive claims but to establish what is true, provide context and enable citizens to make informed judgements.
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Gov. Mbah: Journalists must go deeper in digging facts
Gov. Peter Mbah of the hosting state charged journalists to go beyond the race to break news and concentrate on establishing facts.
Mbah said government and the press had different responsibilities but shared an obligation to serve Nigerians.
“Government must be transparent about what it is doing and be accountable for the results. The Press must establish the facts and report the truth.
“Artificial intelligence has increased the challenge facing journalism because photographs could be fabricated.
“Voices cloned and videos manipulated to make people appear to say things they never said,” TheNewsZenith quotes the governor saying.
He, therefore, called for deeper investigative journalism based on evidence, context and independent verification.
Mbah advised journalists to scrutinise both government and its critics without allowing political narratives to determine their reporting.
The governor used the occasion to highlight achievements of his administration, listing projects it has undertaken in Enugu.
Some of the projects include 1,500 kilometres of roads constructed or reconstructed, 7,000 classrooms, and healthcare facilities across the state’s 260 wards.
The government also improved water supply, transport projects and the revival of dormant industries.
He urged editors attending the conference to examine the claims for themselves, speak to residents and report their findings independently.
TheNewsZenith reports that the conference brought together senior editors and media leaders to examine the role of journalism in Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. (TNZ)
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