Analysts chide Ayade’s aide over attack on journalists

Public affairs analysts and media professionals in Cross River state have berated Mr Christian Ita, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) and Senior Special Adviser on media to Governor Ben Ayade, for attacking Journalists in the state.

In a recent press release, he had attacked journalists for what he saw as “wicked, mindless and unconscionable blackmail against a working governor,” adding “no amount of blackmail will deter him (Ayade).

“Every profession has its ethics and limits. To turn truth upside down or to use journalism as a platform to hurt people because you have a request that is not met must have its legal consequences,” the CPS threatened.

Reacting, former state chairman of the Inter-Party Committee (IPAC), Mr Goddy Akpama  Monday described Ita’s statement as ‘unfortunate’, adding that the crimes of men of the pen profession was to report the order of the state House of Assembly who queried the governor’s decision to forcefully acquire 9,000 hectares of land across the state without recourse to the House and the owners of such lands.

Akpama said, “The unfortunate press statement where he (Ita) said the governor would not be distracted by blackmail, alluding to press men reporting what is going on in the state, really makes one question his claim of having journalist’s background.”

The former IPAC state chairman commended journalists in the state for playing their watch-dog roles creditably without fear or favour, adding that without the efforts of the media, the state would be run aground.

Corroborating, the chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, Maxi Judex Okoro, said Ita’s threat and accusation was baseless and unexpected of an image maker of government.

He saw the CPS’s statement as “a declaration of war and blackmail especially against correspondents. It is unfortunate that every government that rode on the back of the media usually turn up to make the media scapegoat. We cannot be cowed into doing government’s bidding or publishing propaganda and sensational press releases from government’s media team.

“We are totally committed to responsible journalism that tells the truth in a more accurate, objective, balanced and dignified manner. Journalists in the state are committed than ever before to ensure that government delivers on its electoral promises and good governance for the betterment of the society. And that is what journalism is all about

“We are not going to engage in a media war with government, but we shall not fail to protect our profession. No amount of threat or blackmail would deter us from doing our work.”

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