By Onomiguren Agbamu
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Monday charged Journalists to combat fake news reportage and misinformation by fact-checking for the truth before going to press.
Oborevwori gave the charge at the Press Week organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Delta State Council, in Asaba,theme: “Imperative Of Proper Leadership Recruitment Process For Good Governance”.
The Governor disclosed that his administration was comprehensively addressing development challenges of the state through its MORE Agenda.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori said journalists should consistently sustain the effort to find out the truth before going to press, saying it had become essential as more people could be inclined to listen to or read negative reports without bothering about their correct versions.
He commended journalists in the state for the cordial relationship they had accorded his administration and for organizing the Press Week, which would further afford them the opportunity to arm themselves with the necessary knowledge in discharging their duties.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Press Week, an erudite scholar, Christopher Biose, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, and the member representing Oshimili South, Barr Bridget Anyafulu, described journalists as nation builders whose works were critical for sustainable peaceful development.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Asaba, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, said the theme of the 2024 Press Week underscored the critical need for transparent and credible electoral processes, believing that such process would ensure that those who occupied political positions were truly representatives of the people.
Oyowe said when leaders were genuinely elected by the people, they were bound to serve the people with integrity and dedication, saying journalists must play the role to inform, educate and hold accountable, those in positions of power and authority.
