Certified members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have been urged to use the social media and other modern media technologies to advance the course of journalism in the country.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the call on Tuesday when the state Executive Council of the NUJ, led by its Chairman, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, paid him a courtesy call at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, stressed that the NUJ, as a professional body should do its best to ensure that it responds appropriately to the challenges and competition created by the Social Media.
The Deputy Governor pointed out that under the present media climate, professional journalists cannot make desired impact with only conventional tools and approach to news reportage.
He noted with concern that a lot of damage had bren done to the reputation of journalists and the profession by the activities of quacks who parade themselves as newsmen and social media practitioners.
According to him, the fake media practitioners often publish garbage on Facebook and other new media platforms to misinform the unsuspecting public.
The Bayelsa number two man, therefore, advised the NUJ to appropriately deploy modern media systems to its own advantage, while ensuring that the activities of quack journalists are checkmated.
He said much was needed to reposition the NUJ for the professional body to continue to maintain its constitutional responsibility of holding both government and private institutions accountable.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who tasked the Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ to take steps to burnish the image of the state, assured them of government’s irrevocable commitment to creating an enabling environment for the media to thrive in the state.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, said the visit was to formally introduce the new NUJ officials to the Deputy Governor as well as discuss areas of possible collaboration including the tourism sector.
Comrade Numonengi who appreciated Senator Ewhrudjakpo for being media friendly, noted that nobody could market Bayelsa better than members of the NUJ as key stakeholders in information dissemination.
He assured that the state council of NUJ under his watch would remain apolitical and partner any government to promote peace, good governance and development of Bayelsa.
About Author
