By Mercy Gadia
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Grace Ike, has declared that credibility remains the “non-negotiable foundation” of journalism, warning that the rush for online traffic is eroding public trust and threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at the Emporium Leadership Lecture and Award 2026 in Abuja, Ike said the digital media space must move “from clicks to credibility” if it is to play its role in deepening democratic governance.
She said, “We live in an age where anyone with a smartphone can call themselves a journalist. Where a rumour can circle the globe before the facts have had time to put on their shoes. Where the pressure to be first has, in too many cases, overridden the discipline to be right.”
The NUJ chairman commended Emporium Reporters and Emporium Magazine for sustaining operations over the past decade, describing the milestone as “an act of faith in journalism and in the Nigerian people.”
“Ten years of consistent, credible journalism is no small feat. It is a testament to resilience, vision, and an unrelenting commitment to the values that define our noble profession,” she said.
Ike noted that many media platforms had collapsed under economic pressure and editorial compromise, stressing that Emporium’s survival and growth reflected a clear understanding of journalism’s purpose.
She added, “That Emporium stands here today, celebrating its 10th anniversary, tells me that this is a team that understood from the very beginning what journalism is truly for.”
On the role of the media in a democracy, Ike warned that any erosion of credibility would have dire consequences for governance and public accountability.
“When the media loses credibility, the people lose a compass. And a nation without a credible press is a nation navigating in the dark,” she said.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to uphold ethical standards in journalism, insisting that the union would continue to hold practitioners accountable.
“We are not just a trade union. We are guardians of standards. The credibility of every journalist affects the credibility of all journalists,” she stated.
The NUJ boss also called on governments, corporate organisations and civil society groups to support credible media institutions through funding, partnerships and advertising.
“A healthy media ecosystem is not a luxury — it is a democratic necessity,” she said.
Addressing award recipients at the event, Ike described their recognition as a call to greater responsibility.
“Your recognition today is not just a reward for past performance — it is a charge to do more, to reach further, and to report with even greater courage, depth, and integrity,” she said.
She also urged young journalists and students to uphold the integrity of the profession, warning against compromising standards for quick gains.
“Build your credibility brick by brick, story by story, because your reputation, once lost, is the hardest thing to recover,” she added.
Ike congratulated Emporium Reporters and Emporium Magazine on their 10th anniversary and expressed optimism that the organisation would achieve greater impact in the years ahead.