UNICROSS Lecturer, Nwabueze, Urges Political Content Creators to Uphold Journalistic Ethics
By Ebi COLLINS
A Mass Communication lecturer at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and legal practitioner, Barr. Ugoji Nwabueze, has called on content creators involved in the political discourse of Cross River State to uphold the code of journalistic ethics, warning against the growing trend of misinformation, malicious attacks and unprofessional conduct on digital platforms.
Nwabueze made the call in his “Essay of the Month” titled “Content Creators Involved in Politics of the State Should Respect Code of Journalistic Ethics,” where he emphasized the need for truth, fairness, accuracy and responsibility in the dissemination of information, particularly as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
The communication scholar noted that while content creation has become an important platform for public engagement and democratic participation, creators who comment on governance and political issues must understand the responsibility that comes with influencing public opinion.
According to him, journalism remains a profession governed by ethical principles and professional standards, stressing that audiences depend on information disseminated through the media and digital platforms to make informed decisions.
He warned that failure to uphold ethical standards could erode public confidence in the media and undermine journalism’s contribution to socio-economic and political development.
Nwabueze expressed concern over what he described as the increasing use of content creation platforms to launch sponsored attacks against public officials, including Governor Bassey Otu, members of his family and key government appointees.
He argued that while criticism of government is a legitimate feature of democratic governance, such criticism must be anchored on facts, evidence and public interest rather than malice, personal grievances or political manipulation.
“When content is created based on facts and figures, it becomes a serious issue because readers and viewers depend on such content for credible and effective information. Without adherence to ethics, there could be a loss of public confidence and goodwill in the media,” he stated.
The legal practitioner further maintained that ethical journalism requires practitioners and commentators to verify information before publication and avoid reckless or false allegations capable of damaging reputations.
“When a content creator knowingly publishes falsehoods or deliberately ignores the truth, such conduct ceases to be journalism and becomes an act of malice. The duty owed to society requires that information disseminated to the public must be factual, balanced and credible. As elections approach, political actors should focus on issues and performance rather than deploying content creators as tools for misinformation and character assassination,” he said.
Nwabueze urged content creators to embrace professionalism, fairness and responsible communication, stressing that public discourse should be driven by facts and constructive engagement rather than sensationalism and personal attacks.
He added that adherence to ethical standards would not only strengthen public confidence in the media but also promote healthy democratic engagement and contribute meaningfully to the continued development of Cross River State.
