Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State has charged journalists in the country to uphold the ethics of their profession in their writings.
He gave the charge on Sunday while congratulating the new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Council over the successful conduct of last Thursday election of the Union.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Segun Ajiboye, the Akeredolu administration was said to be looking towards a robust working relationship and a harmonious partnership with the new leadership of the union in the State.
He enjoined the Council, as a partner in progress, to support the government in its developmental revolution across the state by projecting government’s policies and programmes and enlightening the people adequately.
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He challenged media professionals in the State and the country at large to uphold the ethics of their profession, saying that “fair and accurate reportage must not be compromised on any ground as the media owe it a duty to be by the side of truth always.”
The governor reiterated his administration’s open door policy, especially as it relates to the media and its assured uphold of their right to perform their assigned roles within the provision of the constitution.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State congratulated the new leadership of the union in the State, calling on the new leadership to commit their tenure to true sportsmanship, professionalism, one devoid of rancour and pettiness.
In a statement issued by the party’s Director, Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, it said “the reports at our disposal show that due process and democratic procedure characterised the entire election activities.
“We commend your renewed peaceful interrelationship, unfragmented affinity, commitment to good democratic values and oneness of purpose in the union.
“We charge you to work towards ostracising fake journalists from your profession and fake news peddlers. The authenticity of Information has become a longstanding issue affecting our society, both for printed and digital media.
“On social networks, the reach and effects of information spread occur at such a fast pace and so amplified that distorted, inaccurate or false information acquires a tremendous potential to cause real-world impacts, within minutes, for millions of users.”
