2023 PRESS WEEK: NWIFURU, ODICHA UDE TASK JOURNALISTS ON OBJECTIVITY

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

Ebonyi State Government has called on journalists to always be guided by the principle of objectivity and overriding public interest as they discharge their roles of informing, criticizing and stimulating debate on government programmes and policies.

Governor Francis Nwifuru made the call in a message to the grand finale of Press Week organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council at Dr. Sam Egwu Press Centre Abakaliki.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jude Okpor, Governor Nwifuru stated that his administration had taken bold steps to renew existing cordial relationship between the government and the media.

He expressed appreciation to NUJ members of in the state for their commitment, fruitful partnership and hard work, emphasizing that it had engendered transparency and accountability in governance.

The NUJ National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, urged government at all levels to champion press freedom as a free press was not only pivotal for democracy but also integral for the overall development of the country.

He condemned arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists in the course of discharging their duties and called on the authorities to prioritize their safety as they were the live wire of any democracy.

The State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Samson Nwafor, commended the state government for its partnership and approval for the renovation of the NUJ Press Centre, which was in distress.

A Keynote Lecturer from Mass Communication Department, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Dr. Odicha Ude, had while speaking on the theme of the event: “Attitudinal Change and Responsible Journalism,” advised journalists to be guided by the ethics of the profession to make a change.

He particularly cautioned journalists against collection of gratification to guarantee objective reportage.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU