Ukorebi Esien | February 4, 2026
A senior academic at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has called for stricter regulation of journalism practice in Nigeria, insisting that only licensed professionals should be allowed to operate in the media space to curb the rising tide of fake news and quackery.
The call was made by the Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Dr. Ukam I. Ngwu, Esq., during an orientation programme organised by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies for newly admitted students of the faculty. The event was held at the University of Calabar International Conference Centre.
Dr. Ngwu decried what he described as the invasion of the media space by unqualified individuals, which he identified as the root cause of the proliferation of misinformation and declining professional standards in journalism practice across the country.
According to him, accurate, credible and reliable information has become increasingly scarce in Nigeria due to the absence of effective regulation and enforcement mechanisms guiding journalism practice.
"The porosity in journalism practice has given room for quackery and fake news to thrive," Ngwu said. "There is an urgent need for legislation that will regulate the media space and restrict journalism practice to only licensed professionals who have been properly trained and certified."
He urged students of Journalism and Media Studies, in particular, to take advantage of the academic and professional training provided by the university to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge, skills and ethical grounding needed to reposition the media sector and restore public trust.
Ngwu stressed that journalism plays a critical role in societal development and democratic governance, warning that misinformation and unethical reporting pose serious threats to national cohesion, informed decision-making and sustainable development.
The orientation exercise, organised to familiarise fresh students with academic expectations and professional ethics, formed part of the faculty's broader effort to raise a new generation of responsible media practitioners committed to truth, accountability and public interest.
Participants at the event were also encouraged to uphold the core values of accuracy, balance and integrity, as the university continues to emphasise character and learning as the twin pillars of its academic training.
0 comments: