From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Journalists in Bayelsa State and Nigeria have been challenged to
know their roles in the society, saying the news today is not as investigative the way it used to be under Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa as we have more of “they say” than investigative reporting.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo dropped the challenge during the inaugural ceremony of Bayelsa Media Summit at the state Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the state capital.
According to the deputy governor, journalists have always been and will continue to be the Fourth Estate of the Realm and the role is defined in the constitution .
He said a progressive society is the one with foresight.Saying eyesight is not the problem of our society.
Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo represented Governor Douye Diri at the event organized by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Bayelsa state Council.
The inaugural media summit with the theme: Media, Culture and Identity in Bayelsa State: Promoting Indigenous Perspective was for journalists to identify with the culture of the people in the course of doing their job.
Speaking further said, those who are visionary are full of innovation, saying those with vision create new things.”Innovation gave us idea, innovation gave us computer, today innovation has given us AI. That is an innovation “.
He described the leadership of NUJ in the state as the one with foresight that knows where they are going. Saying the leadership of journalists in the state are foresighted.
He commended NUJ and journalists operating in the state for their cooperation with the state government. “I commend the journalists in the state for their collaboration and not confrontation, commendation and not competition and not canter productive. It is not when you are antagonistic that you are active , when you are geniue and productive, you be relevant “.
The deputy governor acknowledge the role of journalists played in the independent of Nigeria from colonial era and the development of Nation from the time of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, late Enahoro amongst others.
“We must as a Journalists know our roles, our is not to sit down and look. Unfortunately, the journalism in Nigeria is beginning to dwindle because NEWS today is not as investigative the way it used to be under Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa as we have more of they say than investigative reporting.
“The news we now read that occupied our social media space need to be corrected because in the absence of the best the available occupied any space Left while unoccupied will be occupied by something else. Quantity occupy a space but quality edify a space and we need to look into quality journalism”.
The keynote address presented by prof Aniefiok Udoudo, on “Media, culture and identity in Bayalsa state,” media practitioners needs to engage themselves properly with the society .
“Media have a role to discharge, promote, or demote endangering culture, this is where culture imperialism, culture homogeneity, universality culture metropolis or culture core, the summit is to raise the culture and identity of Bayalsans.
In her remark, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai, stated that the on going summit would attract investments that will benefit journalists, and bring profit to both the state and the media industry.
According to her, “I grew up in Lagos State, where during programs, you would see a translator interpreting from Yoruba to English. I am happy that the summit will also address the blue economy.”
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its numerous ongoing projects.
He said, “Since I arrived, I have been moving around the state monitoring projects such as the ring road, Nembe-Brass road, internal road constructions, and the dualization of the Opolo road.”
Comrade Yahaya also noted the unity among NUJ members in the state and appreciated the elders for their contributions. He emphasized the importance of using social media responsibly not for personal gain but for accurate information dissemination.
In his welcome address, the state Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, recalled an incident a few weeks ago when journalists interviewed a woman who could not speak English, and the people around laughed at her.
He stressed that journalists should be capable of translating into major local languages like Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and Ijaw to ensure accurate reporting and avoid spreading fake news.
