By Evangelist Oladipo Oluwatosin Emmanuel
In a world where the speed of information rivals the speed of light, truth often struggles to catch up. The National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), understanding this delicate balance between press freedom and responsibility, hosted an extraordinary One-Day Capacity Building Workshop for media practitioners on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, Lagos.
The event, themed “Securing and Safeguarding Journalists’ Freedom: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Cybercrime,” was more than a mere workshop; it was a call to conscience. It brought together security agencies, media professionals, and communication experts whose pens, cameras, and keyboards serve as the moral compass of society.
Freedom with Responsibility
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| SP Adebisi Adebola, Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer representing the Force CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, PPRO at NAOSNP 2025 workshop. |
Representing the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, at the event, SP Adebisi Adebola, the Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, set the tone with an insightful keynote address.
He commended NAOSNP for its timely initiative, emphasizing that journalism remains a vital tool in shaping public perception, ensuring accountability, and sustaining democracy.
“In this age of social media, where information travels faster than ever, the line between truth and falsehood can easily blur,” he cautioned. “Fake news, sensational reporting, and unverified content have become weapons that can incite fear, distort decisions, and even endanger lives.”
He reminded journalists that freedom of the press, though constitutional, must operate within ethical and legal boundaries. Citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024, he said:
“Freedom without responsibility can be destructive. Security reporting demands professionalism, caution, and patriotism.”
Adebola advised journalists to verify before publishing and to remember that “being first to report means nothing if the report is false.”
The Digital Gatekeepers
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| Oluwadamilola Jaiyeola, Public Relations Officer, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Lagos State Sector Command |
Adding her voice, Oluwadamilola Jaiyeola, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Command, described journalists as “digital watchdogs and gatekeepers of truth.”
She urged practitioners to combine freedom with wisdom, stressing that “freedom without responsibility is vulnerability, and vulnerability can cost credibility.”
Her message resonated deeply with many in attendance:
“The future of journalism belongs not only to those who can tell the story but to those who can tell it safely, truthfully, and wisely.”
Media and the Fight Against Corruption
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| Dr. Demola Bakare, Director, Public Enlightenment and Education Department, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) |
The workshop also featured Dr. Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, ICPC, who explored the role of media in combating corruption.
“Corruption is not only about money,” he said. “It’s also about abuse of office, influence, or conflict of interest.”
He urged journalists to set national agendas for accountability and integrity, emphasizing that media ethics must guide reportage.
“Journalists must not only expose wrongs but also inspire right conduct. The media should not always be in opposition to government but should sometimes serve as a partner in governance.”
He concluded with a challenge:
“The media is the conscience of society; therefore, it must continue to mirror truth, justice, and national interest.”
Words from the Private Sector: Wema Bank’s Perspective
Contributing the private-sector viewpoint, Tosin Faleye, Public Relations Officer of Wema Bank, pondered the limits of freedom of expression for journalists and raised a caution every reporter should heed.
Faleke acknowledged that a story may be authentic and supported by proof, but asked the crucial editorial question: “Is it publishable?” He warned that even accurate facts can become legally dangerous when they infringe on an individual’s privacy; even the President’s; and that such infringements can carry criminal consequences.
In his words :
“You may have proof and you may have the facts, but before you publish ask: does this reporting affect the peace and unity of the nation? If it does, your ‘Mr. Right’ can quickly become ‘Mr. Wrong’ and be culpable under the law. Take more time to check and verify your stories; especially those that touch the heart.”
Faleye’s intervention brought home a vital point: legality and public interest are not the same thing. Responsible journalism requires both factual accuracy and careful judgment about publishability and national harmony.
Beyond Survival: Building Credible Online Media
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| Dr Kunle Hamilton, Veteran Journalist (Panelist) |
Veteran journalist Dr. Kunle Hamilton injected a dose of realism into the conversation, urging online publishers to rise above mediocrity.
“Being an online publisher must be more than survival,” he said. “We must avoid cyberbullying, phishing, hacking, and other cybercrimes that threaten the integrity of our profession.”
He encouraged journalists to own the news, not clone it, and to always consider the laws guiding online publication before posting.
“Don’t just create content—create value. Be a storyteller who strengthens the nation, not one who divides it.”
“Stop cloning news; start owning news. You are not the news; you are reportage of the news,” he said, stressing the need for ‘Cyber Law Hermeneutics’—a careful, investigative interpretation of digital ethics and responsibility.
Words of Wisdom from the NAOSNP President
The President of NAOSNP, Mr. Samson Oki, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participants and speakers. He urged journalists to approach their craft as custodians of truth rather than competitors for clicks.
A Call to Higher Standards
The event closed on a high note with certificates of participation and awards of excellence presented to distinguished guests and contributors. But beyond the certificates, every participant left with a renewed sense of mission; to inform with integrity and report with responsibility.
“Freedom without responsibility is self-destruction in disguise.”
“Accuracy builds credibility, and credibility sustains freedom.”
“Journalism is not about being loud; it is about being right.”
“The pen is not just mightier than the sword—it must also be cleaner.”
“He who controls the narrative controls the nation; let truth be your narrative.”
As Nigeria’s digital landscape continues to evolve, this workshop served as a compass for ethical journalism in a cyber age full of opportunities and pitfalls.
The message was clear: Press freedom is not a license; it’s a trust.
And in that trust lies the power to build, heal, and transform a nation.
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L-r: Dr Demola Bakare, Director, Public Enlightenment and Education Department, ICPC and Evang. Oladipo Oluwatosin, Publisher, The Brain Magazine.     |
