WORLD COMMUNICATION DAY: VERIFY STORIES BEFORE PUBLICATION – CATHOLIC CHURCH ADVISES MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
Media Professionals have been reminded of the need to always authenticate the veracity of their stories before publishing to avoid misleading the public.
The Dean Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria Enugu, Professor Nnanyelugo Okoro, gave the charge at an event to mark the 53rd World Communication Day in Enugu.
Professor Okoro urged the Media workers to distinguish themselves from social media stories to prevent mischief makers from feeding the public with lies.
In a message by the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, delivered by the Director of Communications, Enugu Diocese, the Reverend Father Benjamin Achi, the Pope stressed the need for people to use the Media to deepen their understanding about the happening around them.
Earlier in a holy mass to mark the occasion, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, the Right Reverend Callistus Onaga, represented by Vicar General, Enugu Diocese, the Reverend Monsignor Luke Adike, described Media Professionals as apostles of God who were endowed with gift of communication to build a society.
Delivering a paper, the Director of Social Communication, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, the Reverend Father Gerald Musa, decried the increasing trend of peddling of falsehood on social media, which cause unnecessary panic in the society.
In an interview, the Deputy Director Programmes, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Enugu National Station, Mr. Gergory Odiakosa and the Zonal Director NTA, Mrs. Bernie Mordi, said the event afforded media workers the opportunity to revisit their role as an agent of change.
Some Journalists expressed the hope that the event would impact positively on their mindset as information disseminators.
The event featured blessing of tools of trade of the media professionals, cultural dance and drama presentation.
NGOZI NWEKE