Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has cautioned journalists against publishing unverified information, stressing that fake news and sensational reporting pose serious threats to peace, democracy, and development.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali, the governor gave the charge at the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Yobe State Branch, in Kano.
Organized by the Yobe State Government to enhance the capacity of the journalists, the governor described social media as a double-edged sword that could either build or destroy society, urging journalists to use platforms responsibly.
“We must conquer social media with integrity. Your credibility is your image which you must guard jealously.
“If you can’t verify it, don’t publish it,” he declared.
Buni commended the longstanding partnership between the Yobe State Government and the NUJ, which he said has enhanced transparency, inclusivity, and public awareness of government programmes.
He called on them to embrace developmental journalism that highlights Yobe’s progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Recalling the dark years of Boko Haram insurgency, the governor said Yobe’s story today is one of resilience and recovery urging journalists to project the state’s success stories, cultural heritage, and investment opportunities to the wider world.
The workshop, tagged “The NUJ, Democratic Governance and Contemporary Issues in the Development of Yobe State,” is expected to sharpen the skills of journalists and strengthen their role as watchdogs of society.
