Gov. Bello tasks media practitioners on professionalism
Story from Rabi’atu, Lokoja
The 29th edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award ceremony 2021 came to an end on Sunday morning with Kogi State standing tall as host of the 4-day event.
The grant award presentation ceremony which was attended by eminent personalities within and outside the shore of the country, captain of industries, government officials and residents of Kogi state ended by 2:30 am on Sunday.
The Chief host, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in his address at the occasion charged media organisations and practitioners to imbibe self-regulation to tackle the menace of fake news capable of destabilizing the nation.
READ ALSO: NMMA 2021: Gov. Bello advises Journalists on regulating social media
According to him, sanitising the media industry and keeping it professional is a great task the media practitioners must do themselves, adding that government cannot help to avoid being caught in the web of censorship.
Governor Bello who lamented that every attempt to regulate fake news or hate speech by the government has raised hue and cry among media organisations with accusations of gagging free speech said the time has come for media practitioners to face the challenge like other professional bodies do and sanitize the noble profession as the watchdog of the society.
“The bravest and most professional individuals among you need to set examples in standing up to these giant forces for the more timid ones.
“They can do that by remaining resolutely true to what is ethical, actual or factual, no matter whose ox is gored. The profession needs to institutionalize reward and punishment systems for professional misconduct in the line of duty.
While commending the NMMA awards for provoking the pursuit of excellence by media practitioners, Governor Bello, charged media organisations to go the extra mile and come up with innovative methods to help stem the tide of unprofessional behaviour in the media industry.
“I would suggest that you become creative in naming and shaming those who deal in inaccurate reportage. For instance, you could institute another set of award like they have in some countries like the USA to name and shame those, individuals and media houses alike, who carry the fakest news or hate every year”.
He congratulated all the awardees and described them as the shining lights of the 4th estate of the realm and charged them to maintain high levels of professional conduct and performance going forward.
In his welcome address, the Chairman NMMA Board of Trustee Dr Haroun Al-Rashid Adamu commended the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for hosting the 29th edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Award.
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