Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has described the media as crucial to successful resolution of conflicts in any society.
The governor therefore asked journalists in the state to demonstrate professionalism in their reportage, especially while reporting crises, in order not to escalate bad situations.
The governor spoke in Jos, the state capital, at the opening of a two-day training workshop organised by the Institute of Governance and Social Research, in collaboration with the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, and the UK Department for International Development, for editors and reporters of media organisations in the state.
Lalong, who was represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, said that ethical and professional standards were required to make the best out of the pivotal roles of “good journalism” in the society.
He said, “As we all know, the media plays an increasingly important role in today’s society; that freedom of expression, implying the freedom of the press, has a clear impact on development, democracy and security.
“Journalists must be well informed and must have access to credible information to be able to positively form the opinion of public for nation-building and development.”
The governor pledged that his administration would “give journalists in the state a good platform to ensure a good working relationship.”
However, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Tom Adaba, who delivered a keynote address at the event, called on journalists who report conflict situations to be peacemakers, peacekeepers and peace builders.
He said that some of the reports, advertorial and commentaries that preceded the 2015 general elections could have set the country on fire but for divine intervention.
Also, the President of the IGSR, Prof. Isawa Elaigwu, said that the objectives of the conflict-sensitive reporting training workshop was to expose journalists to rigorous training, especially in adherence to the core ethics of journalism.
He said that this would enable media practitioners to imbibe the principles of “accuracy in truth seeking.”
No comments:
Post a Comment