*Kingsley Omoyeni*
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode on Sunday led other members of the State Information Chapel of Osun NUJ to a Thanksgiving Service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Osun Province 1 to kick start the Chapel’s Press Week.
Also in attendance at the well attended Thanksgiving Service were: Coordinating Director, Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Bukola Aderibigbe, Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Mushood Sulaiman, Deputy Director, Mrs Toyin Adeoye as well as the Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Abdulganiyu Sofiu.
In an admonition to journalists in the state, the P.I.C.P, Osun Province 1, Osogbo, Pastor Olajide Oluwajobi, urged journalists to avoid sensationalism and focus on disseminating only information that can unite Nigerians instead of things that can further divide the nation.
Reading from the book of Isaiah 52; 7 and 2 Samuel 4:10, Pastor Oluwajobi stressed that media practitioners have a huge role to play in the unity of the nation especially at this time that the nation is facing different challenges
He said information is power that has the tendency to change the mentality and perception of the people whether positively or negatively, hence media practitioners have a duty to give out what is right and can unite the people at all times.
In an address at the service, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode urged consumers of information to endeavor to visit only verified sources for their information so as not be misled by click-bait quacks.
” Let us be careful about what and who we believe. It is easy to fall into the temptation of online quacks who masquerade as journalists. Journalists are professionals just like lawyers and engineers. Let us avoid those who start every story with ‘Breaking ‘ or ‘Just in” because they want to drive traffic to their blogs or websites. Let us fact-check.” Egbemode said.
She stressed that as good as the social media is, it is very capable of causing disunity if not well handled.
“There are quacks all over the media space which is why we must avoid reading and believing what quacks write or disseminate and then turn around to blame real journalists for the mistakes of quacks”. She stated.
Osun NUJ State Information Chapel Press Week continues tomorrow with the official opening ceremony and free medical check-up as well as health talk.
