A strong local press is important for holding the leaders accountable.
Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma stressed this at the ongoing 8th triennial conference of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) holding at Owerri, Imo state.
The governor said he is in support of an independent press in order to solidify Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the media must hold the leaders accountable, but in doing so they must provide accurate news and be truthful in their reportage.
“The challenges are enormous. The rise of social media, fake news and disinformation are some of these issues. Here, I will recommend adequate media literacy, fact checking and responsible journalism.
“In Imo, we have introduced an award of excellence, where we celebrate journalists who are responsible in their reportage.
“So, I will encourage the leadership of the NUJ to step in to uphold the integrity of the profession. Ethical reporting must be emphasized, while there is the need to check disinformation,” he said.
Also, the guest lecturer, who is the president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, tasked the media practitioners to uphold the integrity of the profession.
Represented by Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, mni, the lecturer stressed that media owners must invest in the capacity development of their staff. This he said would discourage them from “selling out.”
He encouraged media practitioners to support their colleagues by remunerating them whenever they are invited for public speaking events.
Prof. Ikechukwu also recommended media literacy, curriculum development, ethical reportage as part of measures to solidify the profession.
The theme of this year’s conference is media and democracy: the journalist role in holding leaders accountable.
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