Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has charged media practitioners in Nigeria to always avoid fake news and be focused on well researched objective reportage of events, in order to build a descent society and earn public trust
Governor Abiodun who gave the charge while playing host to the management of PenPushing Media at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta described fake news as an issue that should concern all.
"I want to thank you for what you stand for in terms of what propelled you to begin this media house which is the issue of fake news and the way the media houses now send sensationalized things that make it difficult for people to know what is the truth and what can be classified as sensationalized truth or even fake news", Abiodun stated
"There is nothing people want to read more than negative news and when it is fake, it takes so much to correct that fake news. One must commend what you stand for which is presenting objective news to the public which is what media houses should continue to do as against selling fake news", he added
"We will continue to assist you in presenting news the way it should be in line with your ethnics and morals of your profession", the governor noted.
He maintained that his administration would continue to execute people-oriented projects that are equitable and fairly distributed across the state, adding that as a focused and business minded administration, efforts would be geared towards meeting people's needs and allow its works to do the speaking.
Abiodun emphasized that though his administration might not make all roads motorable in his eight years tenure, it would take a succession of focused, people oriented and deliberate administrations to ensure that all infrastructural deficit is completely taken care of.
"I want to plead with our people to be patient with us. We will continue in our strides to be inclusive and responsive by giving prompt attention to issues that concern the people. We will continue to be participatory, we will include you in our decision making. We will not impose on you what we think is good for you, but will consult with you and ensure that whatever is it that we are planning for you comes from you because you are the essence of government and you voted us into office", he said.
He described media as the vital link to democracy as they provide the checks and balances needed for democracy to thrive.
He appreciated the Pen pushing media outfit for being supportive of his administration and especially lauded the outfit for extending the hand of fellowship to the less privileged, calling on other corporate entities to take a cue and make meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman, Editorial Board, PenPushing Media, Mrs. Funke Fadugba, said the aim of the outfit was to counter fake journalism that was causing havoc in the society by ensuring that genuine news is out across to the general public.
According to the former Chairman of Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, "it is becoming something unimaginable now that when you rate a news story, you will be doubting and ask yourself, is this story genuine or fake?
"But since Penpushing came into being, we have tried to ensure that whatever we push out is genuine. We have never retracted a story because we resolved to tread with caution. We have reputable personalities as our members and PenPushing believes that the society must entrench truth and truth must be used as a tool to promote unity in the society".
While commending the governor for democratizing infrastructure by spreading to all parts of the State, including the fringes, the Mrs Fadugba noted that the governor through his performance, has used truth to counter negativity by working more and talking less.
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