Nigerian bishop decries persecution of journalists and warns against misinformation, urging ethical media practices ahead of 2027 elections.
Newsroom (19/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Nigeria’s Catholic Bishop of Katsina Diocese, Gerald Mamman Musa, has raised alarm over what he described as the increasing persecution of journalists who speak the truth, warning that media practitioners are becoming some of the most endangered voices in society.
Speaking on May 17 during the 60th World Day of Communications (WDC) celebrations organized by the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), Bishop Musa highlighted what he sees as a troubling pattern of intimidation and violence against journalists. In an interview on the sidelines of the event, he said media professionals who openly report facts are being targeted.
“Journalists in Nigeria are being persecuted for showing their faces and speaking the truth,” Bishop Musa said. He pointed to cases of harassment, disappearances, and killings as evidence of the dangers confronting journalists in the country.
“We have journalists who show their faces, speak the truth, and enlighten the public, and they are persecuted. We have journalists who have disappeared mysteriously. We have journalists who have been killed,” he added.
The bishop stressed that the Church has a moral obligation to stand in solidarity with journalists who risk their lives in pursuit of truth. He emphasized that World Communications Day should not only celebrate communication but also serve as a moment of remembrance for those who have paid a high price for defending the public’s right to know.
“The Church must continue to honour media professionals who risk their lives in the service of truth and the Gospel message,” he said, noting that many journalists remain “constantly persecuted” for upholding the national conscience.
Despite the challenges, Bishop Musa acknowledged that many Nigerian journalists continue to demonstrate commitment to ethical standards and national values. As Chair of the Communications Commission of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), he observed that media practitioners often strive to promote truth, charity, and cultural integrity.
“Nigerian media… in many ways they do their best in upholding what is true, in upholding what is charitable, and in upholding our very positive cultural and religious values,” he said.
However, the bishop also issued a warning about the misuse of digital communication platforms. He noted that the rapid expansion of digital media has created space for untrained and irresponsible actors to spread misinformation and exert negative influence, particularly among young people.
“There are misguided people, there are untrained people, there are people who are unskilled in using media technology,” he said. “Some people are negative influencers… particularly influencing young people negatively.”
Bishop Musa underlined that the role of journalists extends beyond reporting events to actively correcting societal wrongs. He described the media as a critical force for accountability, tasked with analyzing social realities and addressing injustices.
“The media is motivated by what is wrong. That is to say, the media looks at our society, judges what is happening, and is ready to correct the many wrong things that are going on in our society,” he explained.
The bishop devoted particular attention to the impact of digital communication on children and youth, whom he described as highly impressionable. He warned that exposure to unverified content can blur the line between reality and falsehood for younger audiences.
“Most of the time, they are influenced by what they read and what they see,” he said. “They find it difficult to differentiate between fantasy and reality.”
To counter this, Bishop Musa called for the development of critical thinking skills among young people, enabling them to distinguish truth from misinformation. He also urged journalists to adhere to rigorous standards of verification before publishing information.
“Journalists must verify information before publication,” he said, adding that responsible journalism becomes especially vital during election periods. “Responsible journalism during elections is not just a profession; it is a service to democracy and to the human face of the nation.”
The World Day of Communications, established in 1967 by Pope Paul VI, is observed annually on the Sunday before Pentecost. This year’s theme, “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” emphasizes the importance of dignity, truth, and unity in communication.
Echoing Bishop Musa’s concerns, Fr. Michael Umoh, National Director of Social Communications at CSN, warned against the growing spread of misinformation and sensationalism, particularly on social media platforms.
“Rumours spread faster than facts,” Fr. Umoh said, emphasizing that communication must preserve human dignity and foster unity rather than division. “The answer to misinformation is responsible journalism. The answer to propaganda is truth.”
He praised journalists for their continued contribution to accountability and national development despite operating under difficult conditions marked by insecurity, economic hardship, and social tension.
“In times of insecurity… the media has a sacred responsibility to defend truth and protect the common good,” Fr. Umoh said. He also encouraged the positive use of digital technologies for public enlightenment and evangelization.
In a separate address during the event, CSN Secretary General Fr. Michael Banjo urged journalists to play a responsible role as Nigeria approaches its 2027 elections. He framed elections as more than political contests, emphasizing their human dimension.
“Elections are not merely about political parties, candidates, or winning power. They are about people, their hopes, fears, aspirations, and future,” he said.
Fr. Banjo warned against threats such as fake election results, manipulated videos, hate speech, vote-buying, and political intimidation. He called on both journalists and citizens to act with integrity, urging voters to make decisions guided by conscience and the common good.
Together, the voices at the World Communications Day event painted a picture of a media landscape under pressure but still vital to Nigeria’s democratic and social fabric—one in which truth-telling remains both a calling and a risk.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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