Umahi's Legal Aide advocates for developmental journalism, war against fake news

BY NWOGHA NDUBUISI, Abakaliki

The Senior Special Assistant to Ebonyi State Governor on Legal Services and Conflict Resolution on Wednesday, advocated for responsible journalism by the newsmen in the society.

Nwode gave the charge during the familarization visit of the members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) to his office, Old Government House, Abakaliki.

He urged the journalists to always be committed in making improvement while discharging their duties, adding that people across the globe need a continuous flow of information as the world evolves on daily basis

The Legal Luminary cautioned the media practitioners against spreading fake news, stressing that many people just because they afforded any phone began to flood the social media with unverifiable stories, not minding their negative implications to the society as far as internet is accessible.

He further advised the media men to utilize the revolutionary trends in the technological system to make profits in their profession by not becoming inimical to the society through dissemination of falsehoods and whatever may fuel crisis at any point in time.

According to him:"in discharging your duties as Journalists, if you don't sustain interests of the people, they will gradually loose confidence on you and your media organization."

He expressed happiness that the body would be ethical journalists, thereby publishing and circulating a true and verified story, "ensuring it is objective, fair and balanced."

"This must be done by journalists with a serious commitment and responsibility by using their quality time going through the stories - the good, the bad and the ugly, to make a meaningful impact, both in the conflict resolution, in discussion and other areas before publication."

He however, challenged the OMPAN members especially those practicing in Ebonyi, to observe that they owe the state, a responsibility of building and sustaining the present and future her reputation through their various media organizations.

He noted that the state has improved in area of infrastructure, gaining grounds in advancing different spheres of human endeavours, and advised the media practitioners to be projecting the society in a good light by challenging 'the fake news wings of this era, especially on social media.

Earlier, the State OMPAN Chairman, Comrade Celestine Okeh of Ebony Times Online Newspapers, commended the Umahi's Legal Aide for his steadfastness and quality services since his appointment in the office.

Okeh who was collaborated with Dr Tiben Benz Nwali of the Leaders Prime Newspapers, comrade Nwogha Ndubuisi Editor-in-chief, Authentic News Daily and Comrade Israel Mbam of the People's Guide Newspapers, explained that the familarization visit was to seek his partnership and to share his wealth of experience while delivering services to the people.