The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu warned against spreading fake news.
He maintained that the reporting of unverified stories is capable of heightening insecurity in the society.
Senator Anyanwu identified the media as most effective agent of change, and advised the present administration in the country to pay more attention to the needs of journalists across the federation.
Anyanwu, who represented Imo East District at the Senate between 2015 and 2019 noted that most wars across the globe were triggered by fake news, and enjoined journalists to always verify their information before publishing them.
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He gave the admonition while hosting journalists and online media handlers respectively in his village, Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to him, “the three cardinal objectives of the media is to inform, educate and entertain. But today, some journalists and media establishments are going contrary to the rules of engagement by churning out fake news aimed at either to blackmail, spark off crisis or to create tension in the society”
“It is wrong to allow the journalism profession to be hijacked by quacks and hungry “lions” who pay less attention to the principles of the profession at the behest of their inordinate ambitions and desires”
“I have called you today as part of my yearly programmes to celebrate the Christmas and New Year together with you. I understand the nature of your job, you need encouragement from every angle including subventions; but as an individual who appreciates your work to our society, I will never shy away from embracing you and as well providing you with possible bailout to boost your moral, but you must not be biased”
“For the bloggers and online media practitioners, your job is most tasking and deserves encouragement. I am convinced that social media is becoming the most effective instrument of information dissemination. Often times, lives are saved via live streaming. The recent case of brutality on a former governorship candidate in the state is a typical example.”
The PDP National Secretary bemoaned the APC administration for abandoning journalists in Nigeria, and appealed to them not to allow the situation lure them into going against the ethics of the job due to the current economic crunch orchestrated by government.
Earlier, the Chairman of Imo Correspondents Chapel of NUJ, Chris Njoku commended the PDP scribe for his genuine love for journalists, and called on other leaders to emulate him.
He regretted the way media profession is allowed to be infiltrated by quacks who only specialize in what he described as “cash and carry” journalism, revealing that plans were on top gear to arrest the situation.
In his remarks, Coordinator of Online Media Practitioners in Imo State, Innocent Onyeukwu applauded Senator Anyanwu’s efforts in showing them a sense of belonging.
Onyeukwu promised to sensitize his members on the need to apply caution in their publications.
