By Pelumi Adesokan
Hajj is one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings, bringing together millions of Muslims from different countries. Beyond its spiritual significance, the pilgrimage involves complex administrative, diplomatic, logistical and humanitarian operations that require accurate and responsible reporting.
From visa processing and airlift arrangements to accommodation, feeding, transportation, medical services and the use of digital platforms such as Nusuk-Masar, reporting Hajj operations requires more than the ability to record videos, take photographs or publish updates on social media.
It is against this background that the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called for media accreditation for Hajj coverage to be restricted to trained and verifiable journalists.
In a position statement, the organisation argued that Hajj is too sensitive and complex to be left to inexperienced media practitioners, warning that inaccurate reports, unverified videos and sensational headlines could create unnecessary panic among pilgrims, damage public confidence and strain relations between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
IHR specifically urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), state pilgrims’ welfare boards and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to accredit only trained journalists for official Hajj media coverage.
It also proposed a separate accreditation category for bloggers, influencers and content creators, arguing that their activities should not automatically qualify them for recognition as members of the press.
The position raises an important question: should professional journalism training be a compulsory requirement for anyone seeking accreditation to cover Hajj operations?
Why professional training matters
There is a strong argument for higher professional standards in Hajj reporting.
Unlike routine events, Hajj operations involve several interconnected institutions and procedures. A misunderstanding of visa regulations, travel arrangements, accommodation contracts or medical procedures can easily result in misleading reports.
For instance, a change in an operational deadline may be wrongly presented as a cancellation of the entire pilgrimage. A delay in an airlift schedule may be reported as a suspension of flights, while an isolated incident involving a pilgrim could be presented without adequate context.
Such reports can cause anxiety among intending pilgrims and their families, particularly when information is circulated widely through social media before the relevant authorities have clarified the situation.
A journalist familiar with the Hajj system is better positioned to identify the relevant institutions, ask informed questions, distinguish between confirmed information and official projections, and seek clarification before publication.
Verification is particularly important when reporting deaths, medical emergencies, missing pilgrims, visa challenges and other sensitive incidents.
Beyond accuracy, ethical considerations also make Hajj reporting distinctive. Pilgrims are engaged in an act of worship and deserve dignity and privacy. The coverage of sick pilgrims, accident victims and deceased persons must not be driven by the pursuit of online attention.
Images of women in Ihram, vulnerable pilgrims receiving medical attention or grieving families require particular sensitivity. Professional journalism ethics demand that public interest should not become an excuse for invading personal privacy.
The growing influence of bloggers and content creators
However, the argument for restricting accreditation to trained journalists also requires careful consideration.
The media landscape has changed significantly. Bloggers, photographers, documentary producers and independent digital storytellers now play important roles in disseminating information.
Some content creators have developed considerable experience in covering public events, while others possess technical and storytelling skills that traditional newsrooms may not always provide.
Their contributions can help explain the Hajj experience to audiences who may not have access to conventional broadcast and print platforms. They can also draw attention to service gaps, document pilgrims’ experiences and amplify concerns that might otherwise receive limited coverage.
Therefore, the distinction between professional journalists and content creators should not be based solely on the platform they use.
A person who publishes on YouTube or Instagram may still demonstrate strong verification, ethical judgment and responsible reporting. Similarly, possessing a journalism certificate or working for an established media organisation does not automatically guarantee accuracy or professionalism.
The more important question is whether an applicant can demonstrate the competence, integrity and responsibility required to cover a sensitive international religious gathering.
Accreditation should be based on competence and accountability
While IHR’s call for professional standards is understandable, a blanket exclusion of all bloggers and content creators could be counterproductive.
Rather than making formal journalism training the only qualification for accreditation, relevant authorities could establish clear categories based on the nature of media work and the responsibilities attached to each category.
For example, professional news reporters and editors could be accredited under a press category, while independent documentary producers, photographers and digital content creators could be considered under a separate media-content category.
Both categories should be required to meet minimum standards on fact-checking, privacy, consent, responsible use of images, identification of official sources and compliance with local regulations.
Accreditation should also involve verification of applicants’ professional records, the organisations or platforms they represent, their intended coverage and their understanding of Hajj operations.
Authorities could strengthen this process through compulsory pre-Hajj orientation covering the Hajj administrative structure, emergency communication procedures, media ethics, pilgrim protection and the use of official information channels.
There should also be a clear mechanism for correcting false reports and addressing violations, regardless of whether the person responsible works for a conventional newsroom or operates independently.
Protecting pilgrims without restricting public interest
The ultimate purpose of Hajj media coverage should be to inform the public, promote accountability and document the experiences of pilgrims.
While the pilgrimage must be protected from misinformation and sensationalism, media accreditation should not become a tool for shielding authorities from scrutiny.
Journalists must retain the freedom to investigate complaints about accommodation, feeding, transportation, medical services, financial transparency and other issues affecting pilgrims.
The same professional standards that discourage the publication of unverified claims should also encourage journalists to investigate credible allegations and demand explanations from relevant authorities.
NAHCON, state pilgrims’ boards and Saudi authorities therefore have a responsibility to provide timely, accessible and verifiable information. A communication vacuum can create the conditions in which rumours and speculation thrive.
Ultimately, the debate should not be reduced to whether journalists are more important than bloggers or whether traditional media should have exclusive access to Hajj coverage.
It should be about ensuring that everyone granted official media access understands the responsibility that comes with reporting an event involving millions of people and the reputation of participating countries.
Hajj is an act of worship, but its administration is also a matter of public interest. Protecting its integrity requires accurate reporting, ethical conduct, institutional transparency and accountability.
The call for trained journalists to take the lead in Hajj reporting is therefore a valid one. However, the most effective accreditation system will be one that prioritises demonstrated competence, ethical responsibility and accountability, while recognising the changing realities of modern media.
