In an era where speed often takes precedence over accuracy, journalism is facing a credibility crisis. The recent speculative reports surrounding the alleged resignation of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, exemplify how misinformation can erode public trust in the media. This brand of speculative journalism, which thrives on unverified sources and sensationalism, is not only a disservice to the public but also a blemish on the ethics of the profession.

Without a doubt, the Meranda’s resignation rumor has become a case study in speculative reporting. 

For instance, on February 19, 2025, today, being Wednesday, an online news platform reported that Speaker Mojisola Meranda had resigned from her position. This claim was based on an alleged circular dated February 17, 2025, which circulated widely on social media. However, closer examination revealed that the letter bore no signature, an immediate red flag indicating its dubious authenticity.

As gathered from a news report, specifically the Punch Newspaper of February 19, 2025, in its report headlined,  “UPDATED: Lagos Speaker Meranda denies resignation rumour”, it can be opined that the swift response from Meranda’s Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, debunking the rumor should have put the matter to rest. Ajiboye categorically stated, “I’m in the office. The speaker is in the office. I don’t know where that is coming from.” Yet, the damage had already been done. The misinformation had already spread, sowing confusion and fueling political speculations at a time when the Lagos Assembly was already grappling with a leadership crisis following the removal of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

This incident underscores a growing trend in contemporary journalism where the rush to break news outweighs the responsibility to verify facts. The dissemination of such unverified information is not just reckless but has broader implications for governance, stability, and the media’s own credibility.

Without a doubt, there are inherent perils in speculative journalism. The foregoing can be buttressed from perspective of the fact that speculative journalism is not a new phenomenon, and its impact has worsened with the rise of digital media. In fact, the tendency to publish sensational and often misleading headlines to generate traffic and engagement is harming the integrity of the press. The Meranda case is a textbook example of how this approach can have negative consequences.

One of the consequences is that speculative journalism erodes public trust, particularly when viewed from the fact that the fundamental role of the press is to inform the public with accurate and verified information. In fact, when media outlets publish unverified reports, they risk misleading the public, who rely on journalists for factual news. Once trust is broken, it becomes difficult to restore, and people begin to dismiss even legitimate reports as “fake news.”

Looking at this contextual element of unprofessionalism in the field of journalism as been practiced in Nigeria today, it becomes clearer to understand the fact that speculative journalism causes political destabilization. This is as misinformation, especially in politically sensitive situations, can have severe consequences. In a state like Lagos, where politics is highly dynamic and competitive. This is as a false report about the resignation of a sitting Speaker could have triggered unnecessary panic, political maneuvering, and unrest. Not only that, it could have also emboldened certain political factions to exploit the misinformation for their own gain, exacerbating an already volatile situation.

From the perspective of professional misconduct in Journalism, it can be said that the ethics of journalism dictate that every story must be thoroughly vetted before publication. In fact, Journalists’ Code of Ethics clearly states that journalists must “seek truth and report it” while ensuring accuracy and fairness. Therefore, the decision to publish unverified claims about Meranda’s resignation violates this core principle and reflects poorly on the standards of the profession.

Without resort to pointing accusing fingers at certain genre of Journalism, there is no denying the fact that the rapid dissemination of the fake resignation letter is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by social media in the age of digital journalism. While social media platforms have democratized information-sharing, they have also become breeding grounds for misinformation. With no editorial gatekeeping, false narratives spread like wildfire, making damage control an arduous task for legitimate news organizations.

In fact, Journalists and media houses must take extra caution in verifying information before amplifying it on their platforms. While the competition for online relevance is fierce, credibility should never be sacrificed at the altar of speed and engagement.

The question now is “What needs to be done?” The answer cannot be farfetched as to curb the menace of speculative journalism, Nigerian media practitioners must adopt a more responsible approach to news reporting. Against the foregoing backdrop, there are a few critical steps that can be taken, and they cut across strengthening verification processes, promoting accountability among Journalists, encouraging fact-checking mechanisms, sensitizing the public and adoption of legislative and industry regulations.

Before publishing a report, journalists must ensure that they have cross-checked their sources and verified the authenticity of any documents they cite. In the Meranda case, a simple attempt to contact her office for clarification before running the story would have prevented the misinformation from spreading.

In fact, news outlets must hold their reporters accountable for the accuracy of their stories. Journalists who consistently engage in speculative reporting should be subjected to disciplinary measures, including retractions and public apologies when necessary.

Also, Independent fact-checking organizations should play a more active role in verifying political news before it gains traction. Media houses should also integrate fact-checking desks into their newsrooms to scrutinize sensitive reports before publication.

In a similar vein, Journalists must also educate their audiences on the importance of media literacy, and as well encouraging readers to verify news from credible sources before sharing can help stem the tide of misinformation.

In fact, while press freedom must be protected, there is a need for regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) and the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON) to set clear standards against speculative journalism. This is as stricter adherence to the Nigerian Code of Ethics for Journalism will help restore credibility to the profession.

Without a doubt, the Lagos House of Assembly leadership crisis is an unfolding story, and journalists must ensure that they report facts, not speculation. The false report on Meranda’s resignation is a cautionary tale of how the rush for sensational news can compromise journalistic integrity. The media must uphold its role as the fourth estate by prioritizing accuracy over clickbait headlines.

If the profession is to regain public trust, journalists must return to the fundamental principles of truth, fairness, and responsibility. Only by doing so can we safeguard the credibility of the media and ensure that it remains a reliable source of information for the public.