Britain promotes press liberty in Nigeria

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The British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting media freedom and ethical journalism in Nigeria.

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The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, stated this during a roundtable session at the British High Commission-sponsored training on advancing press freedom through science and technology journalism for Nigerian journalists.

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The session, facilitated by the Pan-Atlantic University, was held at the Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday.

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Baxter said the United Kingdom remained committed to supporting independent journalism in Nigeria, noting that the training reflected a shared belief in the role of a free press in shaping public discourse.

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He stressed that in an era of rapid technological advancement, accurate and ethical reporting had become more critical, warning against the dangers of unverified information.

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“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.

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“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.”

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Baxter further said the UK would continue to engage Nigerian media through dialogue and training to strengthen cooperation and improve public communication.

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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 accurate information flow and accountability.

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The commission, in partnership with the university, trained journalists on science and technology reporting, with emphasis on evidence-based journalism to strengthen press freedom.

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The two-day workshop, which began on Tuesday, featured lectures, a roundtable session and practical training, with the grand finale scheduled for Thursday.

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In his remarks, the Dean of the School of Media and Communication, Ikechukwu Obiaya, emphasised the need for ethical standards in journalism.

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According to him, journalism must be rooted in truth, fairness, accountability and independence, adding that these standards were increasingly challenged in today’s digital media environment.

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Obiaya noted that technological advancement had led to the democratisation of information, where both professionals and non-professionals produce content, making critical thinking skills essential for media consumers.

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He added that the training aimed to reinforce professional values and support journalists committed to responsible reporting.

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An Associate Professor at the university, Silk Ogbu, trained participants on the psychology of communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making skills for reporters.

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He also highlighted the importance of press freedom and media independence in the digital age, identifying media ownership and funding structures as factors that could affect journalistic independence.

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Panellists at the session, including Senior Lecturer Margaret Agada-Mba, media law expert Tomi Vincent and Channels Television’s Diplomatic Editor Amarachi Ubani, also called for stronger protection of press freedom in the country.

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The programme featured lectures, a visit to the university’s museum and interactive sessions designed to equip journalists with skills for responsible and impactful reporting.

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The event was attended by senior communication officers of the commission, including Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Onyinye Madu and Ndidiamaka Eze, led by the Head of Communications, Aseosa Uwagboe.

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