Journalism Is Research And Fact Based – Rev’d Niyi Dahunsi
Ibadan based ace broadcaster, Reverend Niyi Dahunsi has said that the virility of the journalism profession requires thorough research and fact checking so as not to cause misinformation and crisis in the society.
Rev’d who’s a panelist at the maiden retreat and prayer organised by Nigeria Association of Christian Journalists, NACJ, Oyo State, held at Government House Chapel, Agodi, Ibadan urged journalists to research and verify every information they are predisposed to in order to set good narrative in the country.
The Veteran Broadcaster and Deputy Director Programmes at Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan Zonal Station, counselled Christian journalists to seek God’s directive on their line of actions so as to stand out in the profession.
Journalists should be humble enough to seek for knowledge, counsel and wisdom. As Christian Journalists, you’re powerful and seek God’s directive on your works.
Rev’d Dahunsi cautioned against sensational reporting, stereotyping, partisanship, ethnicity and religious sentiments, adding that their duties is to serve Justice and fairness to all and sundry.
Similarly, the Regional Superintendent, Odubanjo Region of Christ Apostolic Church, Nigeria and Overseas, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, charged Christian Journalists to project the good virtues of the country rather than exposing it’s woes to the entire world.
Pastor Akanmu, who is the immediate past Chairman of Christian Association Nigeria, CAN in Oyo State, noted that washing the dirty look linen of the country in the country would deter its growth and development hence the need to highlights the good side for countries of the world to support in its advancement.
Declaring the retreat open, the Executive Assistant to the Oyo State Governor, Reverend Ìdòwú Ogedengbe cautioned Christian Journalists against any form of inducement to upturn the truth in their reportage of events.
Reverend Ogedengbe explained that Nigeria was at a crossroad where only truth reporting could reset all wrongs, charging Christian Journalists to uphold truthfulness and justice in their reportage so as to deliver Nigeria from his perennial woes.
In his address, Oyo State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Apostle Colonel Joshua Akinyemiju, Rtd. Advised Christian journalists to work as Soldiers of Christ and be fearlessly in their bid to give voice to the voiceless.
He enjoined them to explore the uniqueness of various churches in the body of Christ and connect members to them for spiritual growth and developments
In a remark, Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Pastor Layi Adisa who expressed joy at the activities of the NACJ in Oyo stated that Christians and their activities would be better projected in good light.
Pastor Adisa however cautioned the Christian journalists against sensational reporting and financial inducements , saying only truthfulness would make their works stand out.
On his part, a Veteran Journalist, Elder Solomon Ayoade let out the many sufferings of men of the fourth estate of the realm in the phase of the current economic hardship occasioned by post subsidy removal on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS by the administration of president Bola Tinubu.
Elder Ayoade who spoke unbehalf of the National Trustee of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayo Akamo, canvassed empowerment for journalists to enable them deliver on their constitutional mandate of fair, objective and fair reportage of informative, educative and entertaining news to the Nigerian public.
While soliciting the sympathy of the public on journalists to engender meaningful development in the society, the veteran Journalist and former state chairman of Oyo NUJ, called for special welfare provision for the gentle men of the press to perform their role optimally
The subsidy removal is affecting journalists, they go to the same markets, pay heavily to train their children, they ride on rickety cars. Majority of them aren’t not being paid by their employers while some of them are unjustly sacked and laid off when they reach senior cadre.
Earlier, in an address of welcome, Chairman, NACJ, Oyo State, Comrade ‘Lekan Shobowale said the association had continued to thrive inspite of the myriad challenges confronting it.
Comrade Shobowale noted that the NACJ Oyo State would continue to uphold the ethics of journalism to engender fairness and objective reportage while projecting Christian activities, programmes and events in the state and beyond.
Dignatories present at the event included Pastor Muyiwa Bangbose of the Vine Branch Church and Deputy Chaplain, Government House Chapel, Pastor Emmanuel Akanmu
