ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged media organisations to prioritise accuracy and objectivity in their reportage, warning that misinformation could erode public trust and distort democratic processes.
Wike spoke on Monday while hosting the Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi Jr, and his delegation during a courtesy visit in Abuja.
The minister stressed that Nigerians rely heavily on the media for credible information, noting that failure to verify facts before publication often leads to misleading narratives.
“The citizens deserve the best. When you give them correct information, it helps them understand what is going on. But when reports are not properly verified, it becomes misleading,” he said.
He also faulted what he described as speculative reporting on political developments, particularly issues involving the Independent National Electoral Commission and internal party disputes, adding that journalists must make efforts to understand the full context of such matters before reporting.
Wike cautioned media practitioners against allowing themselves to be used to promote partisan interests, urging them to uphold professional ethics and neutrality in the discharge of their duties.
On concerns raised by Dokpesi over land documentation challenges affecting DAAR Communications’ assets, the minister assured that the issues would be resolved without delay.
He disclosed that he had directed relevant officials to liaise with the organisation to address outstanding Certificate of Occupancy matters, especially those relating to plots in the Idu Industrial Area.
Earlier, Dokpesi had appealed for urgent intervention, noting that delays in securing land documents were affecting the company’s operations. He also outlined plans to develop a world-class media and creative hub in Nigeria through public-private partnerships aimed at boosting content production, attracting investment and creating jobs.
