By Daniel Obaje
Most Rev. Gerald Musa, Catholic Bishop of Katsina Diocese, has called for protection of human dignity and authentic interaction, warning against hate, lies and cybercrime online.
Musa made the call during the 2026 World Communications Day celebration held at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja.
The event also marked the conclusion of the 5th edition of Communication Week (ComWEEK), themed: “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”
“We are digitally connected, we have so many thousands of followers online, but we are experiencing less and less face-to-face authentic encounters.
“The message of the Pope is reminding us that the voice is sacred. It is reminding us that the human face is sacred.”
The bishop said many vulnerable people in the society remained voiceless because they lacked platforms to express themselves.
“Those who have voice are those who have the power of the microphone, What about those who do not have the microphone? How do we protect their voices?” he asked.
Musa condemned the growing use of fake names, anonymous accounts and digital platforms to spread hatred, blackmail and falsehood.
“Today we see how people spread hate, lies, cybercrime, blackmail, terrorism and digital manipulation behind fake names, fake profiles and anonymous accounts.
“The thief loves darkness, but honesty works comfortably in the daylight,” he said.
Drawing from the philosophy of German-Jewish thinker Martin Buber, Musa warned against treating people as objects rather than human beings deserving dignity and respect.
He further urged the society to amplify the voices of marginalised and suffering people rather than silence them.
“Preserving the human voice means refusing to allow suffering people to disappear in silence.
“It means providing a platform where those we consider as the voiceless of society can also speak.
“The human voice carries conscience, emotion, memory, truth and love.
“It is not only about projecting our voice, but projecting our voice by speaking the truth in love,” he said.
Earlier, the convener, Rev. Fr. Michael Umoh, said the Church remained committed to promoting ethical communication and media literacy across Nigeria through ComWEEK activities.
Umoh described the media as critical partners in promoting justice, accountability and national development.
“Your presence here today is a testament to the vital partnership between the Church and the media in building a well-informed, just and morally upright society,” he said.
He added that the Church had strengthened its digital presence through the Nigerian Catholic Network and other communication initiatives.
Also speaking, the Secretary General, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Michael Banjo, urged journalists and citizens to embrace responsible communication ahead of future elections.
Banjo warned against fake news, hate speech and propaganda capable of worsening insecurity and political tension in the country.
“In an age where everyone with a phone can publish, the professional journalist must become more necessary, not less necessary.
“The answer to misinformation is responsible journalism the answer to propaganda is truth,” he said.
“Nigerians must, therefore, treat the election as a moral responsibility, not a battlefield.
“Every voter must count, every vote must count and every result must reflect the true voice of the people.
“Responsible journalism is not merely a profession, it is a service to democracy and to the human face of the nation,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannew.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
