SHUN FAKE NEWS— NUJ NATIONAL PRESIDENT BEGS JOURNALISTS
REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU
The National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, wants journalist in the country to abide by the ethics of their profession, describing them as the oxygen of a flourishing democracy.
Mr. Isiguzo stated this during the just concluded Media Summit organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council .
According to Mr. Isiguzo, the media have a critical role to play in nation building through their reportage of uniting, informing and educating the public.
Mr. Isiguzo while admonishing journalists to be credible and objective in their reportage at all times, enjoined them to shun fake news,
He said that fake news had adverse effects of plunging the country into a spate of insecurity, political and religious crisis among other negative tendencies.
Anambra State Governor Chukwma Soludo, acknowledged that the theme of the summit was synonimous to his administration’s drive geared towards the realization of a livable smart mega city that is technologically driven.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Chief Paul Nwosu, stressed that a friendly relationship of his administration with the media would help in moving the state to greater heights.
In a lecture, Professor Chinwe Uzochukwu of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, harped on the importance of objectivity, even as she called on journalists to verify information received through online before reporting to the public, pointing out that digital journalism required accuracy and verification.
Professor Uzochukwu challenged NUJ executive in Anambra State to address the problem of quackery in the profession.
Also, a Child Development Expert, Mr. Emeka Ejide, emphasized the need for training and retraining of journalists for optimum performance.
Earlier, a Media Expert, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, had spoken on the aptness of the theme of the summit, saying that journalists should not compromise objectivity for anything.
The Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Comrade Emeka Odogwu, said that the union expected a reliable synergy between Media Chiefs in the State and journalists for a better society.
In a goodwill message the Press Secretary (Media) to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, observed that Governor Soludo held the Media in high esteem, saying that NUJ is a critical partner in the administration of the state.
Heads of Media organizations in Anambra State and other media professionals graced the occasion.
