Media practitioners in Anambra State have been been urged to uphold responsible journalism standards by insisting their practice was in concordance with ethics of the profession.
Security experts who gave the charge at the 2023 Bloggers/Security Summit by Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Awka, also urged the journalists to ensure they portrayed the State in a positive light in their reportage.
The Summit, themed “Understanding State Image and Responsiveness in Security Reporting in Contemporary Nigeria: Anambra As a Case Study”, witnessed speakers drawn from heads of security agencies in the state, media executives, media practitioners, top government functionaries among others.
The speakers stressed need for collaboration among the media, government officials at all levels, and security agencies, with the primary objective of shifting the focus from negative security reports and establishing a more secure environment within the state.
The Keynote Speaker and former Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Emeka Eze, enjoined media organizations to actively shape positive image of the state.
Eze, represented by Dr. Nelson Omenugha, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment expressed confidence that the outcome of the Summit would contribute to resolving prevailing security challenges in the state.
“Anambra, known for its industrious people, vibrant trade and commerce, academic excellence, and literary prowess, should be presented in a light that reflects these strengths and contributions, other than being portrayed in the negative limelights,” he said.
Another speaker, Dr. Kenneth Osayi of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, underscored influence of journalists in molding public perception and public opinion, urging them to insist on uplifting society and avoiding creation of fear and insecurity through their reportage.
Earlier, State NUJ Chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka reiterated the Union’s commitment to collaborating with government and relevant stakeholders to enhance the overall quality of life in Anambra.
Chairman of NUJ Training and Human Development, Comrade Uche Kalu, said the Summit was targeted at charting ways of promoting the image of the State, as well as strengthening the relationship between the media, the security agencies and the government.
On his part, Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye commended the NUJ for the initiative, noting that the outcome of the summit would go a long way in building a better secured and more patriotic society.
Adeoye, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Finance and Administration, Mr. David Ilayonomon stressed the need for media practitioners to play by the rule as they consider the impact of every information they dish out to the public.
The summit also featured discussants from various law enforcement agencies in the State, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
Other dignitaries present at the event included the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, Angel Network News, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiefuna; State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Humphrey Nwafor; State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe; Chairman of Private Security Companies of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Okon Antai, among others.
