Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin of the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan, has urged media practitioners and the public to uphold truth, responsibility and human dignity in communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Most Rev. Abegunrin cautioned that unchecked digital trends could risk eroding the value of the human person.
Abegunrin made the call on Tuesday during the opening of News Conference and Workshop for the 2026 Communication Week, organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is held under the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”
“We live in a world where information moves faster than reflection. Everybody is speaking, but not many are truly listening anymore,” the Archbishop said.
He noted that while digital connectivity has grown, many people now experience increased loneliness and a loss of human connection.
Abegunrin cautioned against a growing culture that reduced individuals to online “content,” prioritised popularity over truth and allowed harmful speech to spread unchecked.
“One careless post can destroy a reputation. One false report can create tension in society and one manipulated story can damage lives,” he said.
He stressed that communication was fundamentally about people, truth, responsibility, conscience, and dignity; not just technology.
As part of efforts to strengthen its communication apostolate, the Archbishop announced the development of a new Archdiocesan website, which is about to be officially launched.
“The project is very important to us because the church must also have a strong, organised, credible and responsible presence in the digital space,” he said.
Addressing young people and media professionals, Abegunrin said communication tools carried significant power and responsibility.
“A microphone can build peace. A camera can preserve truth. A social media page can inspire hope. But the same tools can also damage lives if not properly used,” he said.
He urged young people to avoid losing their humanity to digital trends and to resist measuring their worth by online approval.
“Your humanity is more valuable than algorithms,” he added.
The Archbishop also encouraged participants to use the workshop for learning, reflection, and renewed commitment to responsible communication.
He emphasised that the social media should be used positively, saying that the misuse of it caused a lot of problems in the society.
“As the 2027 election is approaching, speak the truth, if you don’t understand anything, it’s better to keep quiet than to destroy personalities.
“Let us pray for our leaders and the church should teach morality and maintain the truth in spite of anyone involved.
“Communication ethics has been part of our church teaching for a long time because we know its importance.
“The government should provide adequate security for the people; the government should take the right steps and ensure end to killings and banditry in the country,” he said.
Abegunrin thanked the Directorate of Social Communications, planning committee, invited speakers, and media organisations for supporting the Church’s communication mission.
“May our communication always promote truth, may our voices continue to give hope, may our faces continue to reflect compassion and humanity.
“May Christ Himself guide all that we say, write, produce and share; may God bless the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan and bless Nigeria entirely,” Abegunrin prayed.
