Lai Mohammed Critiques Media Sensationalism in Nigeria

Lai Mohammed, a former Minister of Information and Culture, addressed the impact of sensational media headlines on public perception during the #EndSARS protests in Abuja. He denounced misleading media coverage that exaggerated events and deepened misunderstandings about the protests.

Speaking during the launch of a book, he highlighted how headlines have become increasingly influential in the digital and social media era, warning that Nigerians often form opinions based solely on headlines without reading full reports. Mohammed pointed out that the headlines surrounding the protests, particularly those regarding the dispersal of protesters by soldiers, contributed to the controversy, with various casualty figures reported (100, 60, 40).

He criticized the culture of sharing unverifiable information, especially on social media, and urged media practitioners and the public to prioritize accuracy and verification to prevent harm to individuals and society. He concluded that headlines can distort public perception when not properly contextualized.