The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, Kayode Babatuyi, has called for the unbiased enforcement of media laws to check the spread of fake news ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Babatuyi said that anyone found guilty of spreading false information, whether in government or the opposition, should be held accountable in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation or loyalty.
He warned that selective enforcement of media laws could undermine public confidence in the justice system and encourage the weaponisation of fake news for political purposes.
The NUJ chairman spoke while delivering a lecture at a public lecture and award ceremony organised by Southwest Heralds magazine at the Ondo State Property Development Corporation Event Centre, Ondo State.
The lecture was titled, “The Implications and Effects of Fake News in Influencing the Choice of Electorates in a Democracy: 2027 Election, a Focus.”
Babatuyi explained that the information available to individuals often shaped their decisions, warning that voters exposed to false information could make choices that did not reflect their genuine interests.
“When you give information, it guides the decision of an individual. When you have access to accurate information, you do things that are accurate. But when you have access to fake information, you also do things that are not correct because whatever you are doing is based on the information that you have”, he said.
The NUJ chairman stressed that fake news could influence voters’ perceptions of political parties and candidates, potentially altering their choices during elections.
He called on the government to establish a dedicated department to monitor fake news and provide credible information to counter false narratives.
This, he said, would help ensure that members of the public have access to accurate information with which to assess political developments and make informed electoral decisions.
Babatuyi, however, emphasised that efforts to combat fake news must not become a tool for suppressing dissent or targeting political opponents.
He said that the law should apply equally to public officials, opposition figures and other individuals who deliberately disseminated false information.
The NUJ chairman added that government officials and public authorities should not be exempt from accountability when found responsible for spreading fake news.
He said, “It doesn’t mean that government or authorities have immunity to using fake news. So, fake news, whether it’s coming from an authority or whether it’s coming from an opposition, fake news is fake news, and whosoever is responsible for that should actually face the law.”
Babatuyi also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when consuming and sharing information on social media, particularly political messages circulated through WhatsApp and other online platforms.
He advised citizens to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it, warning that forwarding unverified messages could contribute to the spread of false narratives and influence electoral decisions.
The NUJ chairman further urged Nigerians to sustain their confidence in traditional media organisations, noting the importance of credible journalism in providing verified information to the electorate.
Babatuyi said that tackling fake news ahead of the 2027 elections required the collective responsibility of government, media organisations and citizens.
He urged the government to ensure that media laws were implemented without political bias, while calling for improved mechanisms to trace the sources of false information and hold offenders accountable
