Aminu Imam
Chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, has called on broadcasters, journalists and media owners to uphold professionalism, warning that the pursuit of virality and instant fame must never come at the expense of truth and public trust.
Speaking at the ‘Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards’, hosted by the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, Ramalan delivered a keynote address titled: ‘Restoring Professionalism in an Era of Virality and Instant Fame’, where he stressed that credibility remains the media industry’s greatest asset.
According to him, while the digital revolution has democratised information and created unprecedented opportunities for content creation, it has also intensified the race to publish first rather than publish accurately. “Virality is temporary; credibility is permanent”, he declared, noting that a story may trend for a day, but a damaged reputation can endure for years.
Ramalan described broadcasting as a public trust founded on enduring values of truth, accuracy, fairness, balance, accountability and respect for human dignity, insisting that these principles are even more critical in the age of social media. He cautioned that one careless broadcast could spread fear, destroy reputations, inflame tensions or even threaten national security, while responsible journalism has the power to educate citizens, promote peace and strengthen public confidence.
The IBAN chairman also warned of emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence, including deepfake videos, cloned voices and manipulated images, urging media professionals to adopt more rigorous verification processes. “We must verify before we amplify. We must investigate before we conclude. Speed should never replace accuracy”, he emphasised, adding that ethical journalism remains the foundation of sustainable success.
Addressing students of journalism and communication, Ramalan encouraged them to pursue competence and integrity rather than social media popularity, saying public trust would always outlast online fame. He also urged media proprietors to invest in staff training, editorial independence, technological innovation and ethical leadership, warning that professionalism cannot thrive where commercial interests consistently override editorial judgement.
Ramalan further called on regulators and professional associations to strengthen industry standards while encouraging responsible adoption of emerging technologies, stressing that technology should complement—not replace—professional journalism. Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s broadcasting industry, he said the country possesses exceptional media talent and has the potential to lead broadcasting development across Africa if it remains committed to the principles that built the profession.
He concluded by urging broadcasters to recommit themselves to truth, integrity and excellence, saying the media has a crucial role in safeguarding Nigeria’s information sovereignty and strengthening democratic governance.
Ramalan also commended the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards and the University of Lagos for providing a platform to reflect on the future of the broadcasting profession.
