AJFIAJ Masterclass Puts Ethics, Law, and AI at the Center of Government Communications
The Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism (AJFIAJ) has trained government media aides, press secretaries, and journalists on strengthening their craft within legal and ethical boundaries in Cross River State. The two-day masterclass ran from Thursday, October 30, to Friday, October 31, 2025, at the Cross River State Library Complex in Calabar and concluded with certification.
Media and Information Literacy: Speed Isn't an Excuse
Speaking on "media and information literacy," Mr. Cornelius Ella, Acting Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies and Chairman of the UNICROSS Media Team, noted that the shift from analog to digital has made media faster, more powerful, and more complex. He urged professionals not to be swayed by speed, but to put truth, accuracy, objectivity, and fairness first.
He said, "create content that is credible that when your name is mention you become a brand. Build trust and not publicity." He also advised government media aides to leverage credibility and wider coverage to reach their publics and serve their principals' interests. For broader context, see media and information literacy.
Legal Guardrails for Public Communication
Addressing legal issues in the profession, legal practitioner and Principal Consultant of FBI Legal, First Baba Isa Esq., stated that "the only component that has been given responsibilities to hold government accountable on state policies is the press." His lecture, "Media Integrity: Reality and Law," emphasized strict adherence to professional ethics to avoid litigation. He described integrity as "doing the right thing even when no one is watching."
He highlighted the useful impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on media operations while warning against legal pitfalls such as copyright infringement and defamation under Nigerian law. For a refresher on copyright basics, review WIPO's overview. Teams were encouraged to build clear approval workflows and legal checks before publication.
Action Planning and Government Communication
Media Consultant Alhaji Rasheed Olanrewaju led a session on "Action Planning, Networking, and Corporate/Government Communication." He said, "As a good Press Secretary, you must set agenda and be on the game, this is achieve by networking and connecting with other media houses."
He advised participants to set SMART objectives, break tasks into activities, assign responsibilities clearly, allocate resources effectively, create a timeline for execution, and monitor and review regularly. Commending the convener, Mr. Agba Jalingo, Mr. Monday Ashibogwu urged participants to build value and relevance and added, "abide by the golden rule that says if a journalist cannot tell the truth, he/she shouldn't tell a lie."
Who Was in the Room
The event drew the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu; the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor; media aides to the Governor; press secretaries to council chairmen and chairpersons; as well as journalists and media experts from within and outside Cross River State.
The masterclass was graced by His Royal Highness Muril Munene (Prof. Itam Hogan Itam) - Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, represented by His Royal Highness Muril Eyo Effiong Okon.
Practical Checklist for Government Press Teams
- Slow down to verify: confirm names, titles, dates, and quotes with at least two sources.
- Document your claims: keep links, copies, and interview notes for audit trails.
- Set a daily agenda: prioritize what the public needs to know and what your office must clarify.
- Build a network map: editors, reporters, and partner agencies you can reach within minutes.
- Run legal pre-checks: defamation, copyright, privacy, and security concerns before release.
- Use AI carefully: draft, summarize, and transcribe-then fact-check before publishing. For structured upskilling, see AI courses by job.
- Measure outcomes: track reach, sentiment, corrections, and response time to improve.
Why This Matters for Government
Public trust is earned through consistent accuracy and clear accountability. This masterclass offered practical tools to help government communicators set the agenda, avoid legal missteps, and communicate with integrity across digital channels.
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