An aviation reporter with Thisday Newspapers, Dr. Chined I’mu Eze says, the prevalence of negative media reports of the aviation sector is a direct consequence of the persistent lack of cooperation from aviation agencies and airport authorities.
He stated this during a paper presentation at a 2-day Airport Business Summit and Expo 2025 in Lagos with the theme: “Media Impact on Airport Business Growth.”
According to Dr. Eze, these bodies consistently fail to provide journalists with timely and accurate information, forcing reporters to rely on alternative often less favourable sources.
He noted that poor communication and reluctance to share data or respond swiftly during incidents not only hinder accurate reporting but also fuel misinformation, especially in the age of social media.
“Reporters often chase after basic statistics, like passenger numbers or aircraft movements only to be met with silence or deliberate obfuscation”.
He added that it is easier to get aviation data from Ghana or the UAE than from some Nigerian agencies.
The danger, he explained, is that when authorities fail to respond, journalists are forced to rely on unofficial sources.
According to him, this undermines accuracy and leaves room for sensationalism and something no one in the sector wants, especially in such a sensitive and security-conscious industry.
Dr. Eze called for a cultural shift in how aviation agencies engage with the media, especially during emergencies.
He cited a 2023 incident involving a small aircraft crash in Lagos where aviation agencies failed to provide timely updates, leaving the media and the public relying on fragmentary information from emergency responders and social media.
The aviation reporter, pointed out that Nigeria’s aviation industry must embrace the tools of modern communication.
He said, having active digital platforms and trained spokespersons ready to share verified information not only builds public trust but also reduces the likelihood of negative press spiraling out of control.
“When incidents are hidden or downplayed, journalists dig them out anyway. But the difference is, the story might no longer reflect the agency’s version, and that’s where damage begins”.
Dr. Eze also addressed the dual challenge faced by aviation journalists, meeting editorial expectations while safeguarding public confidence in air travel.
He stressed the importance of self-censorship not to conceal facts, but to ensure that reports are fair, accurate, and not unnecessarily alarmist, citing past instances where exaggerated social media narratives following minor aviation incidents caused public panic and dented airline reputations.
The presentation also explored the impact of digital media and how social platforms have become battlegrounds for narratives around air travel.
While they provide immediacy, they are also fertile ground for misinformation. Journalists, Dr. Eze said, are increasingly having to “clean up the mess” created by viral but inaccurate posts from passengers or influencers.
He called on airlines and airport authorities to strengthen their public relations arms to counter such narratives with speed and clarity.
The reporter’s presentation made it clear that, the media is not an enemy of the aviation industry but a partner in progress, adding that, partnership can only thrive when there is transparency, professionalism, and mutual respect.
Journalists, he argued, are ready to play their role in growing the industry, but they need access, openness, and timely responses to do their job responsibly.
Dr. Eze urged aviation agencies and operators to empower their spokespersons, prioritize public information, and view media engagement as a strategic business imperative.
“In today’s fast-moving, hyper-connected world,” he said, “the speed at which you communicate can be just as important as the message itself.”
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen