OGD, Kalu, Jimi Benson, Others Honored At 5th Timeline Awareness Lecture

It was a pure educative and rewarding atmosphere on Wednesday May 29th 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja GRA during the 5th edition of Timeline Awareness Initiative Lecture and Awards.

The event which emphasises responsible spreading of information under the topic News Reporting and Sensationalism: The Effects on National Security In Era of New Media, was a critical discourse that calls for attention, hence the organizers, led by Publisher of TimelineNG Online Newspaper, Yusuf Adeoye considered it for this year’s edition

Highlighting the day was Former Governor of Ogun-State and Senator representing Ogun-East in the 10th Senate, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who alongside Chairman of the event, His Excellency, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu were honored with Lifetime Achievements Awards for their age-long success in Business and politics

Representing the Chairman of the day was her daughter, Neya Kalu, who is the Chairman and Publisher of Sun Newspaper. She expressed the critical role of media literacy and responsible communication in today’s news reporting

Kalu during the event in Lagos, said: “Gone are the days of limited news sources. We are now flooded with information from social media, instant messaging, and a constant news cycle.”

While acknowledging the immense potential of the ‘digital ocean’ for citizen journalism, accountability, and global collaboration, Kalu emphasised the accompanying challenges.

“Misinformation, weaponised narratives, and sensationalised headlines can create fertile ground for discord and national division,” she cautioned.

She outlined a three-pronged approach to navigating the new normal, including Media Literacy: Equipping citizens with critical thinking skills to discern truth from falsehood and become responsible consumers of online content; Responsible Journalism: Upholding ethical practices, fact-checking, and presenting all sides of an issue fairly are crucial for fostering trust in journalism and an informed public, and Accountable Leaders: Leaders must actively engage with the public and new media, combat misinformation with transparency, and promote unity by highlighting shared values.

A well-informed, unified, and engaged public is our strongest defense,” Kalu declared, saying, “By promoting media literacy and fostering open and responsible communication, we can harness the power of the new media for good while mitigating its risks.

“In this ever-evolving security landscape, safeguarding the minds that make our nation strong is paramount.”

The guest speaker, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President and a veteran journalist, Bayo Onanuga, called out the dangers of social media sensationalism, arguing it poses a significant threat to national security.

He lamented the decline of traditional media gatekeeping and the rise of unfiltered information on social media platforms He highlighted the spread of ‘fake news’, ‘misinformation’, and ‘disinformation’ as major concerns, distorting reality and inciting panic.

Onanuga pointed to fabricated stories about government officials and inflated kidnapping statistics as examples of how sensational headlines paint a misleading picture. He argued that such content can damage reputations, stoke public fear, and be weaponized by those seeking to manipulate public opinion.

The veteran journalist placed the blame on the rise of ‘Big Tech’ companies like Google and Meta, who he believes opened the door for anyone with a smartphone to become a ‘journalist’.

This, according to Onanuga, has led to a decline in journalistic ethics and the erosion of gatekeeping practices that once ensured information accuracy.

However, Onanuga did not advocate strict social media regulation, instead, he emphasised personal responsibility and patriotism as the antidotes.

Headlining those that were recognized on the day was, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was bestowed with Lifetime Achievements Awards together with Sen. Kalu. Others includes Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Sen. Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, ICARE Foundation own by Hon Babajimi Benson representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka GNI representing Yewa-North/Imeko-Afon, Bukola Olopade Shola Ogungbile, Commissioner of Finance Osun State, including some brands like Metro & Castle, Class Hospitality among many others.