September 10th, 2025.
By Ayuba Doekyil
In recent times, many Nigerians have begun to doubt what they hear and read in the news. This is not just a global issue, but also a local one.
Judith Miller, a former New York Times reporter, once explained that trust in the press has dropped because people feel journalists sometimes mix facts with personal opinions or even leave out important details.
Here in Nigeria, we have seen similar concerns, especially during elections when some media outlets appear to favor one political party over another.
On the Plateau, for example, many residents recall how reports about the APC and PDP campaigns seemed one-sided, making citizens wonder whether they were hearing the whole truth or just what politicians wanted them to believe.
This drop in trust is serious because it weakens democracy and confuses citizens. People rely on the press to give them accurate information, especially during times of crisis or conflict.
In Plateau State, where communities have faced clashes in the past, the role of the media in calming tensions cannot be ignored.
If the media loses its credibility, rumors spread faster, and that can worsen divisions.
For Nigerians and Journalist in particular, the lesson is clear:
Journalists must work harder to earn trust by reporting with balance, fairness, and truth, while the public must also support credible media that put honesty above politics.
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