By Kehinde Ogunkorode 

The Ondo State Correspondent of THISDAY Newspaper, Mr. Fidelis David, has challenged aspiring journalists to embrace investigative reporting and ethical opinion writing as critical tools for promoting accountability, combating misinformation and strengthening democratic governance.

David gave the charge while delivering a lecture at a training organised by the Nigerian Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko Chapter, on the theme, "The Nitty-Gritty of Journalism: Skills, Ethics and Community Impact."

Speaking on "Investigative and Opinion Writing: Digging Beyond the Surface," the journalist warned that the rise of social media, artificial intelligence and unverified online content has made credible journalism more important than ever.

"We live in an era where information travels faster than ever before. News breaks on social media before traditional media can verify it, while rumours and misinformation often compete with facts. Yet society still depends on journalists who can uncover hidden truths and provide thoughtful interpretation of events," he said.

According to him, investigative journalism remains one of the most respected forms of reporting because it goes beyond merely recounting events to uncovering hidden facts, exposing wrongdoing and holding individuals and institutions accountable.

"Investigative journalism does far more than report events; it seeks to discover why things happen, who benefits, who is responsible and what information is being hidden from the public," David stated.

Drawing from notable Nigerian examples, he cited the 1999 investigation that exposed former House of Representatives Speaker, Ibrahim Salisu Buhari, for falsifying his credentials, as well as the 2023 Daily Nigerian undercover investigation that uncovered a certificate racketeering syndicate in the Benin Republic.

He noted that such reports demonstrated the power of journalism to influence public policy, trigger reforms and compel public officials to take responsibility for their actions.

David urged campus journalists to cultivate what he described as "the investigative mindset," stressing that every meaningful investigation begins with curiosity and a willingness to question official narratives.

"Do not merely report events. Ask deeper questions. Verify every claim. Protect your credibility and always remember that journalism exists to serve society and not personal interests," he advised.

The media practitioner also highlighted the growing importance of digital tools in modern journalism, encouraging students to acquire skills in fact-checking, digital verification, open-source intelligence and data journalism.

While acknowledging the challenges facing investigative reporters, including legal threats, harassment and financial constraints, he maintained that ethical journalism remains indispensable to public trust and democratic development.

On opinion writing, David explained that effective commentaries must be evidence-driven and rooted in facts rather than emotions or personal sentiments. "Opinion writing is not simply expressing feelings. It is a reasoned argument supported by facts, evidence and logical analysis," he said.

Earlier, President of NUCJ, AAUA Chapter, Amadu Eniola, said the training was organised to broaden the knowledge of campus journalists and prepare them for future careers in the media industry. 

The union's patron, Dr. Raphael Abimbola, also urged participants to remain committed to professionalism and continuous learning.

Other guest speakers at the event included Mr. Dupe Balogun of Adekunle Ajasin University and Mr. Eniola Olurankise, Head of Reportorial and Deputy Head of News at Crest FM, Akure.