As Nigerian journalists join their counterparts May 3 in marking World Press Freedom Day, a one-time international editor of the year has called on journalists in the country to embrace truthful and factual reportage.
Ray Ekpu, who spoke with Straightnews reporter in a telephone interview Thursday said, “In spite of what is happening in the social media, people who create social or mainstream media should know that the essence of communication is to convey information. Let there be pursuit of facts otherwise we will damage the whole process of conversation. Journalists are not supposed to relay falsehood.”
Ekpu, who was also Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Limited- publisher of Newswatch magazine, noted “We must still insist on trying to contribute to truth by engaging in factual reporting. I think it is even more important now than what it was before due to the advent of social media. A number of people in the mainstream media just copy what they see in the social media and dump on their pages. They have not done investigation to know whether what they have copied is correct or whether the person said so or not.
“The idea is to ensure that the people who patronise the social media also patronise their own platforms. There is some plowing and sowing. The important thing is that we should be on our guard; we should be more careful and thorough in checking the facts.That is our relevance as the mainstream media. Publish what is factual and what is truthful against what is happening in the social media.”
Commenting on the journalism practice, he observed “There are some flaws here and there. I think part of the problem is that people mistake the mainstream media for social media. And a lot of falsehood is published and actually it comes from the social media. For instance, a former President Olusegun Obasanjo just complained that he was in Abuja whereas he has no house in Abuja and there was a report hat he made some labour leaders in his house in Abuja. It was reported that he has pledged his support to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari. He said it was not true.
“There is a considerable damage to the mainstream media by the so-called social media publishing a lot of fake news. So, one has to worry about the infiltration and people have to be watchful. I think that is a serious problem the mainstream media has to deal with. It affects the perception because people will always say the media. Social media are different from mainstream media. Social media were supposed to be conversation between friends and families.
“It was not supposed to be instrument for political reporting. But now, it is an instrument. Even US President Donald Trump is using it as an instrument for governance. You cannot do anything about that because you can reach many people around the world. That is obviously an advantage and it comes with its own disadvantages.”
Ekpu lauded some journalists for holding government accountable to the people “Generally, the Nigerian media have done quite well in terms of holding government accountable to the people since 1999. There are still gaps here and there. There is room for improvement.”
Patrick Albert, Chaiman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council said “Consistently, we have been celebrating World Press Freedom Day yearly knowing how important it is and knowing how constantly the media must be amplified so that members of the public and the government canS appreciate the duties of a journalist.
“Obviously, the theme of this year is to emphasise the need for journalists to actually know that there is no way we can effectively handle the rule of law without ensuring that government is kept in check and there is no way we can have a better better society without ensuring that the justice system is on the letters of the law where the privileged and the less privileged can access law and justice without discrimination. For the media to stay as the umpire in ensuring that wherever there are breaches within the democratic norms, those factors are addressed to ensure the society is properly governed.
“It is the responsibility of the media to kick against breaches by those who are given the responsibility at the executive, legislatuve and judiciary arms of government. There are laid-down procedures in dispensing their bars without the tendency of totalitarianism in the society. For us in Akwa Ibom State, we maintain this watchdog role by regularly calling the government to order where necessary on issue of abuse.”
Albert thanked the state government for proving free atmosphere for journalists to practice their profession, noting “In Akwa Ibom we have not encountered the issue that would warrant confrontation with the government. We have the Freedom of Information Act is there for us to reinforce the rights of not only journalists but also the individuals in getting clarification on issues of public imporatnce.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked journalists on fair media coverage and responsible practice.
Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said in a statement to mark the World Press Freedom Day today.
Buhari urged journalists to be mindful of fairness, justice, and national interest at all times.
He pledged to ensure unfettered environment for the media to carry out its constitutional responsibility.
The president said a media that objects would only generate unwarranted tension in a plural society like Nigeria.
Reflecting on this year’s theme: Keeping Power In Check: Media, Justice and The Rule of Law, he re-affirmed commitment to an atmosphere in which the media is free from harassment, or any form of attack in the exercise of the profession, within the ambit of the law.
He said: “The media can count on us to keep our words, but we also want to be fairly reported. The media should hold ethics of the noble profession sacrosanct, and be wary of those bent on causing disaffection in the country.
“The world is in the throes of animosities generated by fake news and hate speech, often spawned by some media, particularly the digital variant called social media.”
He urged those involved in the negative antics to reflect, and ponder on how some countries have been thrown into tailspin by irresponsible use of the media.
“As we approach general elections next year, let our journalists resolve to report the process fairly and without bias, irrespective of who is involved. That would be the very essence of World Press Freedom Day,” he said.
