The 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference which kicked off Wednesday in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state, has stressed the need for Editors to always advert their professional instincts to issues that would promote national cohesion and development.
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, who declared the event open stated that media managers must at all times in upholding the conatitutional duty imposed on them by section 22 of the constitution to hold government accountable, always weigh the consequences of what they put out for public consumption.
Stressing on the need to always consider national peace, amity and development in mind in performing their tasks, he promised to continue to provide conducive environment for the media to thrive at all times.
Represented by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Tinubu listed several activities of government aimed at revamping the economy, reminding Editors of their critical role in providing positive media coverage to attract needed investments to restore prosperity to the country.
The Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Umo Bassey Eno, urged the Editors to to always strive to put on thr front burner, development-oriented news items where the leaders are called to account without breaking the fabric of the society.
Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher, Vanguard newspapers, while admonishing Editors reminded them that “editing is knowing what to leave out; that’s an enduring maxim on this job. That’s what brings you the regard and respect that you need.
“Recently, or single word by power from an individual, have left all of us where we are now. That statement changed our lives to where we are now.
“Remember that your job is to make the President and the people accountable so we must be ourselves by telling the truth and by respecting the government.
“Several of you who work in the newspapers, have not received salaries for some months now not because the publishers don’t want to pay bit because the economy has changed and we must realise that.
“The new paradigm on this job, which is online, is a serious problem because many of them practice fake news just to gain attention and it is wrong; it does not help you or the fellow you want to damage. You must know that both of you are the lovers.
“Unfortunately for us, times have changed and as we say, change is only permanent, the future is online and it is with us now.
“This media business that we are into now, the entire product is out on the e-paper and because most people cant afford to buy a copy of the newspaper, and because you need to survive first as a business, we must live with the fact that the online is the in-thing now.
“If you are not compliant, an analogue person, as some of us are, you won’t survive in today’s media landscape.
Hon. Erasmus Ekpan, Commissioner for Information, Cross River State, representing the Governor of Cross River State, reminded Editors that the media is easily passed as the 4th Arm of Government and very powerful for its capacity to call the three arms of government to order.
He added: “The media should propergate home-grown economic indices that will help grow the economy.
“When government come up with economic policies the media should interrogate these to find how relevant they are at solving problems on the ground in the form of agenda setting”.
He further reminded media professionals of the emergence of Artificial Intelligence which is gradually taking over the duties of the journalist and even create news which never even existed.
He also called for the regulation of the Social media space due to unbridled unprofessionalism noticed in that regard.
Chief Segun Osoba, former Ogun State Governor and Father of the Day, Chief Segun Osoba, alligned himself with the submissions made by Mr. Amuka, stressing that journalists must be alive to their responsibilities to continue to earn public respect.
Governor Umo Bassey Eno, Akwa-Ibom State Governor, who commended the media for the good job in deepning democratic processes, culture and unbending unity, noted that the theme of the conference has said it all and is appt due to the natiinal.economic vatlriables.
He urged the media to engender developmemtal oriented news items where the leaders are called to account without breaking the fabric of the socoety.
He also commended the media for the peace enjoyed in the state, saying they have bought into the agenda of the givernment which is why he encourages them and privides conducueve environmemt for them to perform their duties optimally.
He boasted of their overwhelming road trasport infrastructure which he described as the best in any sub-national, thriving Ibom Air carrier and other social service sector prphects, including the revuval of teachers quarters to encourage teqchers live near the school so as to encourage them perform their duties better.
“I’m already in discussion with Songhai Farms in Cotonou to replicate their kind of farms in the 31 LGAs in the state,” he said of his plans to transform agriculture and the rural communities in the state.
Hon. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, who represented President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, eulogised the theme of the conference, asking the Editors to be poised by the emergence of technological age, urging them to be guided by the words they chose and the perspectives they highlight.
Said they should continue to promote dialogue and siscussions in the nation.
Noted that due to the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidy, the administration have taken some measures to alleviate the painful effect, in addition to “creating conducive environment for businesses to thrive and the signing of five Executive Orders to boost businesses as well as task the CBN to boost the value of the Naira though a robust price and physical stability”.
He further noted that the government “is working on reducing the tax burden and obligations on Nigerians.
He anniunced plans to pay N15,000 to selected 15 million vulnerable Nigerians and provide access to credit loans of N60bn to 11 million Nano Businesses across the country.
He also listed several activities of government aimed at revamping the economy, reminding the media that they have a critical role to provide positive media coverage to attract needed investment to restore prosperity to the country.
Idris therefore enjoined the media to fact check their reports to avoid fake news and advised that journalists operate within the framework of responsible journalism so as to properly uphold the government to be accountable.
