Communication Academic Charges Practitioners On Responsible Journalism That Impacts Society For Positive Change

Communication Academic Charges Practitioners On Responsible Journalism That Impacts Society For Positive Change has drawn renewed public attention as more details emerged from officials and eyewitness accounts on Thursday.

Dr Constance Ikoku, a media analyst, anchor and journalist, has emphasized the need for practising and upcoming journalists to imbibe the culture of responsible, impactful storytelling towards shaping public perception, governance and social change in society, even as she urged aspiring journalists to see the profession as a civic responsibility.

Dr. Ikokwu delivered a lecture titled “Stories That Matter: Media, Power, Responsibility” at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University on February 21, 2026, wherein she addressed students on the ethical weight carried by journalists and communicators.

According to her, journalism goes beyond reporting events to shaping how societies interpret power, injustice, conflict and hope.

She posited that the narratives that journalists construct or choose to ignore carry lasting consequences for society.

To Ikoku, a story is not merely a collection of facts but a narrative that conveys meaning, adding that what is reported today may influence how future generations understand major events.

Citing the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, Dr. Ikokwu described how media can be weaponized when used irresponsibly.

During the crisis, radio broadcasts were deployed to spread hate propaganda, fueling violence that led to the deaths of more than 800,000 people within about 100 days. She said the tragedy remains a stark reminder of the dangers of inflammatory reporting.

In contrast, she referenced the 2020 killing of George Floyd in the United States, explaining how sustained media coverage and widely circulated video footage transformed what began as a local incident into a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality.

She observed that without continued reporting and public visibility, the incident might have faded from public attention.

Dr. Ikokwu also highlighted the agenda-setting role of journalism, explaining that while the media may not dictate what people think, it significantly influences what they think about.

She recalled the Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests as an example of how persistent coverage can elevate long-standing concerns into national and international discourse.

For years, complaints about police brutality received limited sustained attention until social media documentation and consistent reporting amplified public demands for accountability.

According to her, journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, including internally displaced persons in Nigeria.

Investigative reports exposing hunger, poor living conditions and alleged corruption in displacement camps have compelled authorities to respond and brought the plight of affected communities into public view.

Describing the media as the Fourth Estate, she restated its responsibility to question authority, demand accountability and expose abuse of power. She noted that investigative and undercover reports revealing corruption and exploitation within institutions have led to reforms and heightened public scrutiny.

However, she warned that the power of the media can be harmful if misused. Referencing the Iraq War, Dr. Ikokwu said widely reported but later-discredited claims about weapons of mass destruction contributed to a conflict that resulted in significant loss of life and prolonged instability. She also noted that misinformation during elections, including manipulated videos and false results, can inflame ethnic tensions and deepen divisions.

She emphasized that responsible journalism must prioritize accuracy over speed, context over sensationalism and integrity over the pursuit of attention. In the digital age, she noted, journalists compete not only with traditional news outlets but also with influencers and algorithm-driven platforms that often reward engagement rather than verification.

Despite these challenges, Dr. Ikokwu maintained that the core principles of journalism remain unchanged. She urged students to reflect on the kind of communicators they intend to become, stressing that journalism is as much about values as it is about career prospects.

She concluded by calling for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, noting that practicing journalists who engage with students bring newsroom experience, practical insights and current industry trends that help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice.

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