Journalists in Bayelsa State and across Nigeria have been urged to return to the core of investigative journalism, just as it was during the days of Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa.
The call was made by the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, during the inaugural Bayelsa Media Summit held at the D.S.P. Alamieyiesigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (nuj), Bayelsa State Council, organised the summit with the theme “Media, Culture and Identity in Bayelsa State: Promoting Indigenous Perspective.” Speaking on behalf of Governor Douye Diri, Ewhrudjakpo emphasised that journalists must understand their key role in shaping society, describing them as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm” with a constitutional duty.
He noted that journalism today often leans more on hearsay than in-depth investigation, and urged practitioners to revive their watchdog role.
The deputy governor encouraged journalists to identify with the culture and values of the people they report on, and to help preserve indigenous identity through their work.
He praised innovation and foresight, noting that visionary individuals bring about change through creativity. Using artificial intelligence (AI) as an example, he said journalists should embrace innovation to improve their work and impact.
Ewhrudjakpo also commended the leadership of the NUJ in Bayelsa for their cooperation with the state government, stressing that journalists do not need to be confrontational to remain relevant.
He said, „We must as Journalists know our roles, ours is not to sit down and look. Unfortunately, journalism in Nigeria is beginning to dwindle because news today is not as investigative as it used to be under Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa, as we have more of the say than investigative reporting.
„The news we now read that occupies our social media space needs to be corrected because, in the absence of the best, the available space will be occupied by something else. Quantity occupies a space, but quality edifies a space, and we need to look into quality journalism“.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its numerous ongoing projects.
He also commended the unity among NUJ members in the state and appreciated the elders‘ contributions. He emphasised the importance of using social media responsibly, not for personal gain but for accurate information dissemination.
In her remark, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, stated that the ongoing summit would attract investments that would benefit journalists and profit the state and the media industry.
She said, “I grew up in Lagos State, where you would see a translator interpreting from Yoruba to English during programs. I am happy that the summit will also address the blue economy.”
Prof. Aniefiok Udoudo, while delivering the keynote address on „Media, Culture and Identity in Bayelsa State“, emphasised the need for media practitioners to connect more meaningfully with society.
„The Media have a role to discharge, promote, or demote, endangering culture. This is where cultural imperialism, cultural homogeneity, cultural universality, cultural metropolis, or cultural core come into play. The summit is to raise the culture and identity of Bayalsans,“ he said.
In his welcome address, the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, recalled an incident a few weeks ago where journalists interviewed a woman who could not speak English, and the people around laughed at her.
He stressed that journalists should be capable of translating into major local languages like Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Ijaw to ensure accurate reporting and avoid spreading fake news.
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