By Newsontheplateau Opinion Desk
The recent bomb scare in Jos, Plateau State, underscores a crucial issue in journalism: balancing speed and accuracy in reporting. While mainstream media such as Punch and Sahara Reporters published reports about an alleged bomb blast, the Plateau State Police Command and the government flatly denied this, claiming that such an incident never happened.
These paradoxical reports highlight the need which journalists have to help but to incite hysteria in their reporting.
Public Reactions: Mistrust in Media
The aftermath of this event exposed a sense of popular dissatisfaction with what is construed as sensationalist journalism.
Talking with residents of Jos, a number expressed worry with respect to the media’s function in disseminating unproven facts.
“I was terrified when I heard about the explosion. When I saw the devastating effects, I called my family just in case, said Ruth Bulus, a neighborhood vendor. “Later, I found out it wasn’t true. It makes me question what to believe anymore.”
Aminu Mohammed, a civil servant, also criticised media organisations for not waiting to see official confirmation before reporting.
“Insecurity is already a big problem in Plateau State. False reports such as this just worsen the environment, he said.
On social media, users were divided. While some blamed the government for withholding information, others sided with the police, accusing journalists of prioritizing sensationalism over public welfare.
The Challenge of Verifying Security Reports
One of the challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, and particularly in volatile regions such as Plateau State, is the integrity of information.
Anecdotal, first- hand and social media data pertaining to security-relevant events, where fact-checking is particularly sensitive.
In the case of the Jos bomb scare, reports initially circulated on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) before being picked up by mainstream media.
However, as journalist, Samuel Ayuba has argued, “Social media is a blessing and a curse. It provides us leads but it is also a source of disinformation. However, “the responsibility lies with us to distinguish fact from fantasy before publication,” etc.This pressure to be first with breaking news can foster a “publish now, verify later” mindset, with potentially disastrous consequences.
For example, the Jos incident reportedly, caused a general feeling of panic in certain areas, which caused business disruption and worry among the population.
A Call for Ethical Journalism
Experts also agree that journalists must maintain high ethical standards, and even more so when they are working on stories with public safety issues.
Dr. Esther Bako, lecturer at the University of Jos, did however stress the need for due diligence. “Journalism is not only reporting but also maintaining the public’s confidence. But if you post unsubstantiated material, you break that trust and you blow your professional image”.
Bako underlined still the need for journalists to cooperate with security forces.
“Journalists readily complain about the fact that access to current police reports is limited. This is valid. Yet, this solution is not done with the aim of circumvention of verification, but with the goal of creating better communication pathways”.
Restoring Public Confidence
The Jos bomb scare is an alarm for the Nigerian media. News outlets need to regain public trust by putting accuracy over speed.
This encompassed providing a space for investigative journalism, providing resources and training to reporters for the perception and practice of ethical standards, and creating a work culture that values credibility.
Equally important is the need for accountability. All media organizations that are disseminating false information must take the necessary steps to quickly rectify and assertively admit their errors. Signal behaviors, not only rebuilding trust but also proving ethical journalistic responsibility, have a significant impact.
Conclusion:
Lessons for the FutureIn Plateau State, where insecurity is still the primary concern, media wields a heavy burden. Journalists are more than just writers; they are guardians of public credibility.
When they preserve the integrity of their reporting (i.e., honesty and moderately expressed), they may become an asset for a more learned and stable society.The Jos incident is a demonstration of the tradeoff between speed and accuracy.
As Ruth Bulus has noted, “We trust the media to tell us the facts. They should never forget that their words have power.”
At a time when disinformation travels unimpeded, it is the responsibility of journalists to go beyond the din, adhere to the principles of ethics, and invariably pursue the truth.
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