Men of the pen profession have been charged to always fact check and promote accuracy in their reportage.
The Executive Director of a Non-Governmental Organization, the International Press Center, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade gave the charge in Akure during a two-day training organized by the organization in collaboration with the European Union for journalists in South West region of Nigeria.
Mr. Arogundade who said misinformation has negative impact on the integrity of Journalists and is harmful to individuals as well as the society, urged men of the pen profession to refrain from engaging in such practices.
He stressed the pivotal role of journalists in combating information disorder, urging them not to be biased and sensational in their reportage.
The IPC Executive Officer however called on media stakeholders and government at all levels to safeguard press freedom and protect journalists from attacks or intimidation.
On his part, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Martins Oloja, emphasized the media’s responsibility in monitoring governance and holding leaders accountable.
Mr. Oloja urged journalists to persevere in discharging their social responsibilities and advocated reforms that would develop the country.
In an interview, one of the participants, Mrs Funmi Falae who is a member of staff of Radio Nigeria, Progress FM Ado Ekiti expressed optimism that the programme will have a meaningful impact in their reportage.
The programme with the theme, “Credible Elections and Democratic Governance: Media Capacity Building on Combating Information Disorder,” was attended by journalists from both private and public media organizations across the South West region of Nigeria.
Participants at the programme were provided with essential tools and methodologies to verify information and detect falsehoods, particularly in the context of electoral processes.
