The Nigeria Press Council (NPC) has decried the infestation of the Nigerian journalism profession by “charlatans” on social media, especially with the 2023 general elections in view.

“The Nigeria Press is facing a major challenge today because of social media. We now have charlatans and the bad guys taking control,” said Francis Nwosu, the Executive Secretary of the NPC.

Mr Nwosu stated this on Thursday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at an ongoing 2-day  workshop for media practitioners in the South-West region of the country. 

The NPC scribe said the press has a critical role to play in the progress of any nation.

The ongoing workshop with the topic; Effective Coverage And Reportage of 2023 General Elections, attracted journalists from Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, and Oyo states.

The training being organised by the NPC was facilitated by Aveesga International limited and had in attendance senior mass communication lecturers as top speakers. 

Mr Nwosu said the charlatans who are not professionals are in the habit of spreading “fake news” while masquerading as real journalists. 

He bemoaned that journalists who at times source their news contents on social media have fallen victim to the trade as the country prepares for the 2023 election. 

“So, we must fight to get back journalism to its place of glory, let us keep Nigeria journalism alive again. All hands must be on deck to get the media back”, Mr Nwosu added. 

While urging journalists to be extra careful, Mr Nwosu asked Nigerian journalists to adhere to journalism ethics even in the face of intimidation.

He also explained that Nigerian media would be a determining factor for the 2023 general elections by the virtue of their coverage for the pre-exercise. 

According to him, journalists have the role to highlight the process and activities of all stakeholders—the electorate, candidates, political parties, and the umpire among others.

He advised journalists to satisfy the public interest by reporting balanced stories and not sharing information capable of promoting violence mostly during the electioneering period. 

Mr Nwosu, however, stressed the need for job security, improved remuneration, training and rewards for media practitioners that distinguish themselves in their reportage. 

Different speakers at the ongoing workshop also spoke about ethics, safety for journalists and technics to be adopted by media practitioners in covering the election most especially in the volatile areas and regions of the country.