BY: CLARICE AZUATALAM, Port Harcourt
A top journalist and communications expert, Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, has called on the media and Nigerian journalists to exhibit patriotism in reporting the forthcoming general elections in the country.
Nkwocha, who is the Head, Corporate Communications, Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Eleme, Rivers State made the call in while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ Week in port Harcourt.
Nkwocha was the Chairman of the occasion which was organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, with the theme: “Media Vigilance Ahead of Peaceful 2023 Election In Rivers State.”
He called on journalists to be circumspect about spreading fake news from various interest groups as this is election season adding that there is the need to check sources of information before going to press with such stories.
Nkwocha also told the media to ” be careful of fake news from various interest groups as fake news is the biggest thing that threatens journalism and even the electoral process.”
Continuing, he urged the media to check the sources of information before using such stories pointing out that neutrality in reportage matters a lot adding that journalists should also try to give all political parties equal opportunities at all times.
“Let’s beware of materials that cause character assassination of political opponents. Let’s us be careful with information that may trigger violence in the electoral process.
“Let us be careful of ethnic group or religious profiling or political profiling. Journalists should not make themselves cheap before politicians.
He added that journalists should “remember to be patriotic and know that Nigeria is our only country. Let’s not set Nigeria and Rivers State ablaze with our reports. Let us also remember that the pen is mighty; it can build or destroy.” ENDS
