BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR PRESS FREEDOM, ETHICAL JOURNALISM IN NIGERIA
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The British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting press freedom and ethical journalism in the country.
The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, made this known during a roundtable session at a British High Commission-sponsored training on advancing press freedom through science and technology journalism for Nigerian journalists.
The session, facilitated by Pan-Atlantic University, was held at the Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Ikoyi on Wednesday.
Baxter said the United Kingdom remained committed to supporting independent journalism in Nigeria, noting that the training reflected a shared belief in the critical role of a free press in shaping public discourse.
He stressed that in an era of rapid technological advancement, accurate and ethical reporting had become increasingly important, warning against the spread of unverified information.
“The UK strongly supports freedom of expression and a free press. That is why we are proud to support this training, which focuses on media freedom and the important role of science and technology reporting,” Baxter said.
“In a time when unsubstantiated information spreads rapidly, journalists and media organisations play a vital role in ensuring credible information is disseminated to the public,” he added.
Baxter further stated that the UK would continue to engage Nigerian media through dialogue and training to strengthen cooperation and improve public communication.
He also referenced the recent state visit of President Bola Tinubu to the United Kingdom, noting that collaboration with the media was essential in ensuring accountability and accurate information flow.
The commission, in partnership with the university, trained journalists on science and technology reporting with emphasis on evidence-based journalism aimed at strengthening press freedom.
The two-day workshop, which began on Tuesday, featured lectures, practical sessions and a roundtable discussion, with the grand finale scheduled for Thursday.
In his remarks, the Dean of the School of Media and Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Ikechukwu Obiaya, emphasised the importance of ethical standards in journalism.
According to him, journalism must remain rooted in truth, fairness, accountability and independence, adding that these principles are increasingly challenged in the digital media era.
Obiaya noted that technological advancement had democratised information dissemination, enabling both professionals and non-professionals to create content, thereby making critical thinking essential for media consumers.
He added that the training was designed to reinforce professional values and support journalists committed to responsible reporting.
An Associate Professor at the university, Silk Ogbu, trained participants on the psychology of communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for journalists.
He also highlighted the importance of press freedom and media independence in the digital age, identifying media ownership and funding structures as factors capable of influencing journalistic independence.
Other panellists at the session, including Senior Lecturer Margaret Agada-Mba, media law expert Tomi Vincent and Channels Television Diplomatic Editor Amarachi Ubani, also called for stronger protection of press freedom in Nigeria.
The programme featured lectures, interactive sessions and a visit to the university’s museum aimed at equipping journalists with skills for responsible and impactful reporting.
Senior communication officers of the commission, including Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Onyinye Madu and Ndidiamaka Eze, attended the event under the leadership of the Head of Communications, Aseosa Uwagboe.
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