Oko Chukwu, who stated this while delivering a lecture at the 2021 All Facts Newspaper media summit in Umuahia, explained that unethical practices reduce the respect expected from the public towards the media industry and urged media practitioners to always be conscious of their obligation to the society.
He urged the media to brace up to the challenges of discharging its responsibilities as the watchdog of the society through monitoring governance and holding public officers accountable.
He said; “Media practitioners should not engage in character assassination, sycophancy, bowing to undue pressure, brown envelope syndrome, sensationalism, fake news, disclosure of sources of information and plagiarism. Media practice in Nigeria has become an ‘all comers’ affair, the journalism profession has been hijacked by quacks. Some media practitioners are still giving a place to fake news in their publications. Fake news is dangerous. It is better not to have information, than to have a wrong or fake one. When in doubt about the authenticity of a story, verify it; if you are still in doubt, do not publish. There should be no place in the newsroom for fake news.
“News has become a commercial product sold to the highest bidder. Important developments are pushed aside for sponsored news stories. Journalists who commercialize news stories forget that they violate the ethics of journalism. Facts are sacred and must not be tampered with, no matter the pressure. The media as the voice of the people must act as a watch dog by uncovering corruption and abuse of power. The media should set agenda and monitor the government. The social responsibility mandate of the media demands that they scrutinize social institutions and provide objective and accurate reportage. It is important to note that to scrutinize does not mean to mindlessly criticize.”
He, however, commended the media in Nigeria for its contributions to democratic advancement of the country, adding that no institution has contributed more to democratic process in Nigeria than the media.
The Deputy Governor urged the media and the government not to see themselves as adversaries, but as partners in the process of democratic advancement
He stated that the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration operates a free press policy as there has never been any report of intimidation and brutalization of journalists in Abia as obtained in some states.
Oko Chukwu also noted the challenges confronting journalists in Nigeria to include poor remuneration, stifled press freedom, poor technological facilities, among others.
