Dr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, has called for stronger journalism standards as artificial intelligence, social media and deepfakes make it increasingly difficult to distinguish credible information from disinformation.
Dare made the call Thursday at the BBC World Service’s “Trust Is Earned” Disinformation Festival in Lagos, which brought together stakeholders from the media, government, civil society, academia and technology sectors to discuss the growing threat of disinformation and the importance of trusted journalism.
He said trust remains the foundation of credible journalism and urged news organizations to uphold editorial integrity, effective gatekeeping and rigorous verification of information.
“Trust is the bedrock of good journalism,” Dare said.
He warned that the rapid growth of social media and artificial intelligence has created an environment where almost anyone with a smartphone and internet access can produce and distribute information, making it harder for audiences to separate facts from falsehoods.
“In the midst of information gloom, you still need the trust in what you report,” he said.
Dare said journalists must continue to apply the basic principles of the profession, including verifying sources, asking responsible questions and exercising caution when facts are uncertain.
“When in doubt, leave it out. That’s the trust,” he said.
The presidential adviser, who spent 10 years with the Voice of America in Washington, D.C., said the BBC had long served as a benchmark for credible journalism and continues to play an important role in maintaining professional standards.
Dare also stressed the importance of the media’s watchdog role, saying journalists must continue to hold those in power accountable, regardless of political or institutional affiliations.
“When the media falls apart, then who holds those in power accountable?” he asked.
Drawing from his experience as an investigative journalist, Dare said the traditional principles he learned early in his career remain relevant despite the rapid transformation of the media industry.
He also referenced research he conducted during an Oxford University fellowship about eight years ago on social media and citizen journalism.
The research examined citizen-led media platforms, including Sahara Reporters, and explored the growing influence of social media on public discourse.
Dare later turned the research into a book titled We Are All Journalists: Africa in the Age of Social Media.
He said the book warned that unchecked social media could damage reputations, institutions, businesses and even countries.
“Every prediction I made in that book is happening now,” Dare said.
He urged journalists not to abandon traditional newsroom values in response to new technologies, saying editorial judgment, credible sourcing and responsible gatekeeping remain essential to maintaining public trust.
The BBC’s Regional Director for Africa, Juliet Njeri, also highlighted the need to examine how people think, work and engage with the digital space.
Njeri said discussions at the event also focused on digital safety and security, including engagements with students at the University of Lagos.
The “Trust Is Earned” Disinformation Festival was organised by the BBC World Service to examine the growing challenge of disinformation and the role of trusted journalism and media literacy in building more informed and resilient societies.
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