UK advocates media freedom in Nigeria

The British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting media freedom and ethical journalism in Nigeria.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, stated this during a roundtable session at the British High Commission-sponsored training on advancing press freedom through science and technology journalism for Nigerian journalists.

The session, facilitated by the Pan-Atlantic University, was held at the Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday.

Baxter said the United Kingdom remained committed to supporting independent journalism in Nigeria, noting that the training reflected a shared belief in the role of a free press in shaping public discourse.

He stressed that in an era of rapid technological advancement, accurate and ethical reporting had become more critical, warning against the dangers of unverified information.

“The UK strongly supports freedom of expression and a free press. That is why we are proud to support this training, which focuses on media freedom and the important role of science and technology reporting.

“In a time when unsubstantiated information spreads rapidly, journalists and media organisations play a vital role in ensuring credible information is disseminated to the public.”

Baxter further said the UK would continue to engage Nigerian media through dialogue and training to strengthen cooperation and improve public communication.

He also referenced the recent state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom, noting that collaboration with the media was essential in ensuring accurate information flow and accountability.

The commission, in partnership with the university, trained journalists on science and technology reporting, with emphasis on evidence-based journalism to strengthen press freedom.

The two-day workshop, which began on Tuesday, featured lectures, a roundtable session and practical training, with the grand finale scheduled for Thursday.

In his remarks, the Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Ikechukwu Obiaya, emphasised the need for ethical standards in journalism.

According to him, journalism must be rooted in truth, fairness, accountability and independence, adding that these standards were increasingly challenged in today’s digital media environment.

Obiaya noted that technological advancement had led to the democratisation of information, where both professionals and non-professionals produce content, making critical thinking skills essential for media consumers.

He added that the training aimed to reinforce professional values and support journalists committed to responsible reporting.

An Associate Professor at the university, Silk Ogbu, trained participants on the psychology of communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for reporters.

He also highlighted the importance of press freedom and media independence in the digital age, identifying media ownership and funding structures as factors that could affect journalistic independence.

Panellists at the session, including Senior Lecturer Margaret Agada-Mba, media law expert Tomi Vincent and Channels Television’s Diplomatic Editor Amarachi Ubani, also called for stronger protection of press freedom in the country.

The programme featured lectures, a visit to the university’s museum and interactive sessions designed to equip journalists with skills for responsible and impactful reporting.

The event was attended by senior communication officers of the commission, including Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Onyinye Madu and Ndidiamaka Eze, led by the Head of Communications, Aseosa Uwagboe.