A cleric from Assemblies of God Church, Item Street, Umuahia, Rev Sam Umesiobi has tasked journalists in the country to ensure they embark on truthful and courageous reporting as the best way to serve the society.
The man of God who gave this charge during the thanksgiving service organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Abia state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Wednesday to usher in 2020 Media Week, noted that by standings on the truth, the people would be set free from their bondage.
He added that as journalists, “we are enjoined to publish the truth and nothing but the truth, avoid sensational journalism and never accept bribe to publish or suppress falsehood.”
He likened journalism practice to a missionary who committed his life unto God saying, “You need to have the courage of a lion to practice journalism, God forbids falsehood, those who live by the truth represent the character of God.”
In his brief remarks, the chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Mr Obinna Ibe, said the inter-denominational service was packaged to thank God for seeing members into a new year despite the challenges they face in the course of their duties.
He enjoined members to redouble their efforts towards ensuring that the people are informed and not misinform their readers and viewers.
Also in his remarks, the state chairman of NUJ, John Emejor, decried the hardship faced by journalists working under private establishments while calling on practitioners to always stand by the truth in their reportage.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr John Okiyi Kalu, in his goodwill message, commended journalists in the state for being committed in the discharge of their duties.
The commissioner called on the practitioners to always balance their reports to avoid been regarded as being biased while giving assurance of the state government’s resolve not to infringe on the fundamental rights of journalists in the state in the course of their duties.
