Prof. Ibileye Tasks Journalists On Prioritizing Truth, Accuracy, Transparency and Public Interest
The Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye has urged journalists in Kogi State to prioritize truth, accuracy, transparency and public interest in the discharge of their assignment.
Prof. Ibileye made the call while speaking on the theme: “The Media As The Fourth Estate of The Realm: Fact Or Fiction” at the 2023 triennial Delegate Conference of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kogi State Council held at the Press Centre Lokoja.
The Provost, who expressed concern over the high level of fake News due to the influx of what he called “people without adequate training in journalism, mass communication or Media practice.”
According to him, “the advent of social media has further complicated the issues, where anybody who has access to a computer, mobile device and the internet and who can type any passable English, would call themselves Journalist or Media Practitioners.”
He further stated that”another of the fundamental challenges facing the Media as the Fourth Estate is the increasing polarization of public discourse.”
“The implications of these challenges are not just for the survival of the profession itself but also society and the other Three Realms of the Estate.
” While instances of biased reporting and misinformation are cause for concern, it is important to acknowledge the enduring value of independent journalism in upholding accountability and exposing abuse of power.
Prof. Ibileye charged Media Practitioners to continue to self-regulate and reinforce its professional and ethical standards, adding that they are panacea to restoring public trust in the Media as their only source of information.