Media Professionals Task Journalists On National Development

Media professionals have been advised to always give priority to news and programmes that will enhance national peace and development.

The deputy dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Baze University, Abuja, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi gave this advice during the 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Radio Nigeria Abuja Chapter with the theme “National Socio-economic Development: Roles of Media Professionals.”

In his paper presentation titled, “Role of the Media in the Sustenance of the Nation’s Democracy,” Prof  Abiodun Adeniyi described media professionals as critical stakeholders in the nation’s democratic system.

Adeniyi, therefore advised them to always be balanced, and objective and give priority to national interest while reporting issues of politics.

Also in his paper presentation, another guest speaker and executive director of OJA Development Consult, Abuja, Mr Jide Ojo whose paper centred on “The emergence of online media and the challenges of fake news” expressed concern over the rate of fake news being published by some junk journalists.

Mr Jide Ojo therefore advised journalists to always fact-check their information before publication to avoid setting the country on fire.

In her remarks, the director of FRCN Abuja Operations, Alhaja Sherifat Ahmed represented by the deputy director of News and Current Affairs in the Station, Alhaji Mohammed Gbedus also advised media professionals to be diligent and ethical in the conduct of their duties.

Earlier, the chairperson, NUJ, FRCN Abuja Chapel, Comrade Shakirat Alabi said the press week was organised to remind journalists what is expected of them in the task of national development.