Fake News: Amosun Highlights Roles Of The Media
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has described the media as a vital tool in bridging the gap between the governed and government; hence the need for media practitioners to check the rate at which untrue and un-established information is being relayed with reckless abandon.
The Governor made this known during the 2nd Anniversary of the Pen-pushing online platform, with the theme, ‘’The Media and the Quest for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in Nigeria’’, held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, the Governor said the media serves as a veritable tool in information dissemination and must play its role alongside, concise reportage of news, in order not to unnecessarily stir up chaos and pandemonium.
‘’Gone are the days, when journalists took to heart, the importance of investigative journalism, before going to press with their news stories and many at times, tempers have been unnecessarily incited by carelessness on the part of information carriers, in relaying news not properly verified’’, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the founder, Pen pushing Online Platform, Mr. Dimeji Adedeji, said the online pen pushing platform started two years ago and has served as one of the leading vibrant online news platform, where undiluted and unbiased news are conveyed, assuring that the platform would continue to be objective, sincere and not compromised on its standard.
Delivering lecture on the theme, the Director, United Nation Information Centre, (UNIC), Mr. Roland Kayanga, said, the media had played significant roles over the decades and would not relent, noting that the progress made so far in the Nigeria Democracy, was through the media.
He called for the provision of platforms for marginalized groups, while relevant and credible civil society actors should equally be given liberty to articulate their concern.
‘’The media should never be indifferent on issues that could split the basic fabric of the Nigerian society, and Nigeria as an entity, must specifically ensure that the democracy is substantive, where voices of the people are heard and those in power are kept in check’’, he said.
Former Military Administrator in the State, Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyo, in his remark, congratulated the founder of Pen pushing Platform, for his efforts at promoting prompt and genuine news online, adding that journalists should be more credible and fair in their reportage, especially now that fake news and hate speech are on the increase in the public sphere.
In his remarks, the Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof.) Obalanlege said there was need to address the issue of economy independent for journalists.
