Mr Chris Isiguzo, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called on media practitioners to avoid sensationalism in their reports.
Isiguzo made the call while delivering a keynote address at a media summit, organized by the Imo State Chapter of the union in Owerri on Tuesday.
According to him, the media have a great responsibility in reducing the nation’s tension in the face of recent security challenges.
He said that downplaying the extent of some situations would serve to reduce negative reactions and also diffuse tensions, especially where it concerned loss of lives.
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He also advised journalists to proffer solutions to the problems facing the society by practicing development journalism.
The NUJ president, who warned that the fabric of the nation’s existence was being threatened by the current security challenges, urged journalists to manage the crisis with their reports.
“As journalists, we have a role to play in ensuring that despite insecurity, Nigerians can still go about their businesses.
“If we communicate fear or anarchy or tensions in our reports, the same will be reflected in the society; by glamourising the activities of criminals, we embolden them.
“Those who have decided to bring the nation to its knees thrive on publicity and when we keep publicising their activities, they become motivated to do more,” The NUJ President said.
He further warned against unverified reports, noting that unconfirmed reports could have disastrous results and endanger the lives of innocent citizens.
Earlier, the former state chairman of the union, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, noted that there could be no meaningful development without the media.
According to Onyeneke, the media, by controlling sociopolitical and economic development, serve as a link between the government and the governed.
He said their activities as media practitioners were capable of drawing the attention of the government to the needs of the people.
He also stressed the need for balance in the reportage of events as a way to curb the rising trend of insecurity in the country.
In his speech, the state Chairman, Mr Chris Akaronye, said the summit was aimed at finding ways to sustain the development of the state.
He added that the summit was also to provide an opportunity to identify areas in need of urgent development in the state, with a view to encouraging philanthropy.
Akaronye added that the union in Imo would continue to ensure that the media support the government for sustainable development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit themed: ‘The Media as a Catalyst for Realisation of Sustainable Development”, featured a lecture with the same topic delivered by Prof. Anya O. Anya.
The union also conferred the ‘Distinguished Leadership Award’ on individuals and corporate bodies who had shown exemplary leadership qualities. (NAN)
