Nigerian journalists have been advised to shun partisan politics and other acts that may unnecessarily interfere with factual news reportage and bring the profession to disrepute.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti State Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Kola Ajumobi who gave the advice at a forum organised by journalists working with the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State and the State Ministry of Information, said that journalists have an important responsibility in building and sustaining democracy in the country.
In his lecture, titled “The 21st Century Journalist (videography, news writing and reportage in Nigeria)”, Mr. Ajumobi stressed that disseminating falsehood or half-truths would lead to loss of public confidence in the media.
Ajumobi noted that the electronic media was deregulated in 1994 to break the government monopoly of broadcast stations adding that the enormous increase of media organization to no fewer than 402 Radio and Television stations across the country has resulted in the prevailing stiff competition and rivalry which consequently placed demands on journalists to possess required skills to enable them discharge their responsibilities accurately.
He stressed that in spite of a number of challenges such as inadequate working tools, poor remunerations, and lack of training and retraining as well as working in hazardous environment, journalists must be sacrificial, passionate and ready to go the extra mile to be effective.
According to him, a 21st century journalist who hopes to thrive and stand tall in the profession must possess power of expression, language proficiency, presentation skills, strong passion, and good dress sense adding that he must also be diligent, knowledgeable and multi talented in order to rise in the profession.
Ajumobi emphasised that journalists must always exude self confidence, courage and boldness in the discharge of their duties in order to achieve an effective 4th Estate of the Realm.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Public Communication and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka commended the organizers of the event and stressed the need for journalists to be conversant with the paradigm shift in the profession.
Olayinka remarked that the mode of news writing and reporting has changed overtime as events were being reported at the speed of light.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
