The 7th edition of the Communication Parliamentary Summit, hosted by the Communication Students’ Representative Council, COSA of Lagos State University, LASU, has highlighted the crucial role of integrity, truth, and professionalism in journalism, particularly in today’s fast-paced digital age.
Held under the theme: “Media’s Impact on Politics in the Digital Age: Opportunities, Challenges and Solutions”, the summit gathered students, media professionals, and civic advocates to examine how journalism can responsibly navigate political discourse while upholding the public good.
The summit, held at the university’s main campus, was also marked by the historic launch of the first printed Constitution of the Communication Students’ Association (COSA-LASU).
Ghanaian-born broadcaster and journalist, Riyah Abdul, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized the uncompromising responsibility of journalists to uphold truth in the face of political pressure.
“We spoke about the challenges journalists face,” she said, “and how politicians may attempt to compromise the media, but they can’t be compromised because, at the end of the day, journalists stand for truth and justice.”
Addressing the dangers of sensationalism and inducement, Abdul charged students to pursue factual storytelling. “Don’t rush to break the news, rush to break the truth,” she urged. “No matter what, do not bend.”
Also speaking at the event, veteran journalist, communication researcher, and team lead of Platforms Africa, Dr. Adiola Yusuf, underlined the strategic importance of mass communication to national development, warning of the destructive impact of misinformation.
“If a doctor makes a mistake, one person may suffer. But if a journalist spreads falsehood, the nation could burn,” he said.
He encouraged students to embrace their training and leverage it to drive narratives. Using global influencers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Davido as examples, Dr. Yusuf noted that communication students are uniquely equipped with both knowledge and tools to go even further, if they take initiative.
“Go after the untold angles,” he advised. “That’s how to gain relevance, power, money, and influence in this profession.”
Another Speaker and CEO of BudgIT, Olusegun Onigbinde, warned about the double-edged nature of digital media. “Breaking news travels fast, but how fast it travels is not how factual it travels,” he said.
Onigbinde, who was represented by the Senior Communications Associate at BudgIT Foundation, Nancy Odimegu, encouraged the students to uphold verification, truth-seeking, and public service.
“If your thirst is not to say the truth, investigate wrongdoing, and speak authentically, you’re in the wrong profession,” he cautioned.
Sub-Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Dr. Fatonji Stephen, hailed the summit as a training ground for global relevance. “We don’t want graduates who only have certificates. We want thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers,” he said.
Commenting on the newly launched COSA constitution, Dr. Fatonji described it as a critical foundation for democratic leadership. “The constitution is not a mere document; it is power. Teaching students to govern by the rule of law is our way of planting the seed of true democracy early,” he said.
COSA-LASU President, Comrade Noble Obaze, expressed pride in the achievements of the 19th Assembly. “We’ve always had a soft copy of the constitution, but launching this physical document gives us structure and accountability,” he said.
“Where there’s no law, there’s no sin. This document will guide future administrations and strengthen our union.”
On media and politics, Obaze reinforced the value of impartial reporting: “We’re trained to report facts without bias. Future journalists must uphold integrity. If something is black, say it’s black.”
On his part, speaker of the 19th COSA Assembly, Chidera Okafor, described the launch of the printed constitution as a long-awaited reform.
“Before now, we had to search through our phones during plenary. But having a physical constitution gives us something to reference and hold on to,” he said.
Okafor noted that future updates would be printed as new amendments are made by succeeding assemblies. Going forward, all student leaders contesting for office in the department will be required to own a physical copy of the constitution, ensuring they understand the rules guiding their roles.
“After every amendment, print a new edition. Keep the permanent form of the constitution going,” Okafor concluded.
The event featured a panel discussion with panelists dissecting various angles of the theme, while awards of recognition and achievement were given to major stakeholders.