The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin and media expert, Femi Ipadeola have charged journalists on reportage of electioneering campaign.
They gave the charge at the second edition of media parley organized for the Oyo State House of Assembly Correspondents.
The seminar, which was held at Business School, New Bodija, was put together by the House Committee on Media, Communication and ICT.
Addressing journalists, Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Muhammed Fadeyi, expressed that the parley is aimed at strengthening and deepening the existing cordial relationship between the state legislature and the correspondents.
The Speaker disclosed that the idea of seminar aspect of the parley is to remind journalists of their professional duties especially now that the nation is preparing for the general elections.
Hon. Ogundoyin, while acknowledging the role of the media, commended the Assembly’s correspondents for the diligence and professionalism they have been exhibiting in the reportage of the activities of the ninth Oyo State House of Assembly.
“We deemed it fit to organize a parley with our esteemed journalists because we realized their importance, worth and the pivotal roles you play as the watchdogs of the society.
“Suffice to say here that the aim of the parley is to further strengthen and deepen the cordial relationship existing between the state legislature and the media correspondents in the House. It will also provide avenue to receive feedback from you on our activities.
“On a final note, the first session of this parley, a lecture on the topic “Navigating the murky waters of Political Reportage and Election Coverage” is our own way of reminding you of your professional duties as the nation prepares for the 2023 General Elections,” the Speaker disclosed.
Hon. Ogundoyin reiterated that the House under his leadership will continue to make welfare of the correspondents a priority.
Speaking on the topic, “Navigating the murky waters of Political Reportage and Election Coverage”, media expert, Femi Ipadeola, encouraged journalists to be mindful of their responsibility, emphasizing that media possessed power to make or mar the future of the society.
Identifying how journalists can navigate the murky waters, the former Acting Rector, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, said that a journalist must be knowledgeable and must have a good grass of the dialectics and dynamism which shapes the environment he or she is operating.
“If you have a good grass of the dialectics and dynamics, your ability to navigate effectively will be increased.
Secondly, every pressman especially political coverage journalist must be conversant with the media ethics that guide the electioneering campaign, it is called the Nigeria Media Code of the Election Coverage. Everybody must have a copy of that and study it, not read but study it properly.
“Others have to do with sagacity, discernment and wisdom, with these four basics, I think you will have conquered 70 percent of the demons that awaits you in that murky waters.”
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Media and ICT, Hon. Qosim Olayanju, expressed his gratitude to the correspondents for timely reporting of the activities and projecting the image of the House, which he said have made their job and tasks easier.
He appealed that the existing cordial relationship between the correspondents and the lawmakers is sustained even beyond our political offices.
Some of the lawmakers in attendance included Hon. Dele Adeola, Hon. Akeem Adedibu, Hon. Rasaq Mabaje, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Alhaji Oyekunle Oyetunji and Clerk of the Committee, as well as other staff of the House of Assembly.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
