Vanguard Newspapers Discredits Nigerian Spelling Bee Champions by Altering Niqabi’s Photograph

By KnowIslam Project

Vanguard Newspapers has come under criticism after publishing a digitally altered team photograph of Nigeria’s victorious Spelling Bee team, in which the face covering (niqab) of one of the team members was modified.

The image featured the Nigerian team that emerged victorious at the Spelling Bee World Cup. Rather than publishing the original team photograph, Vanguard altered the appearance of the niqabi before sharing the story, prompting widespread backlash from the public.

Following the criticism, the newspaper replaced the edited image with the original team photograph. However, no explanation has been offered as to why the alteration was made.

The issue extends beyond a single photograph. It raises concerns about media ethics and respect for religious identity. A Nigerian’s success on the world stage should be celebrated without altering or concealing any member’s religious attire.

KnowIslam Project condemns the unnecessary alteration of the team’s photograph and calls on media organizations to uphold professional standards by accurately representing individuals, regardless of their faith or mode of dress. Religious identity should never be edited out of a story celebrating national achievement.