Former Governor of Ogun State and Senator who represented Ogun Central two times at the National Assembly, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has appealed to those who are behind the planned protest of First of August, 2024 to sheath their sword, embrace peace and dialogue.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun made the appeal at the 6th Anniversary Lecture of Pen pushing Media while fielding questions from journalists
Senator Amosun said “I told you that I am here for the 6th Anniversary Lecture of Pen pushing Media but let me just say that nothing good can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence, so it is also good for to eschew anything that is peaceful, anything that will bring about harmony amongst us
In the Same vein the Two Term Governor also called on the Federal Government to do quick regulation on the usage of Online and Social media
Senator Amosun never forgot to play up the role the media as an agent of development as he also applauds the Founder and organizer of the annual lecture Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji for his contribution to ensure that the profession Improves
The former Governor in his speech said: “Proliferation of online media in Nigeria has become a source of concern to stakeholders in the media industry and the generality of the people.”
“Though one cannot rule out the fact that online journalism comes with its ability to ensure that news and information get to readers all over the world as they happen. The speed with which news can be written, revised, and released makes online journalism an indispensable tool for journalists and readers alike.”
Flipping away from the gains of Online and Social Media, “I know all of us seated here today would have at one time or another read stories about some important personalities, government policies and programmes which eventually turned out to be untrue.”
“Online media platforms appear to have created an avenue where everyone can lay claim to being a ‘citizen or digital journalist’, and engage in spreading news stories not minding whether they are factual or not. While many people dish out false information out of lack of knowledge about the ethical standards of journalism profession, yet, some others maliciously engage in disseminating premeditated falsehood about people and institutions with intent to discredit, ridicule, or damage their reputations. Sadly, negative news items tend to gain traction faster and more than the positive ones.”
“From the foregoing, the need for regulation of online and social media is vital to separate the serious ones from the unscrupulous outfits, many of whose promoters are faceless and their offices unregistered, from tarnishing the image and damaging the reputation of the serious-minded professional ones. This is to forestall a case of one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch.”
Senator Amosun also challenged Pen pushing Media to take a pole position in the drive to regulate this sector of news media. Pen pushing needs to collaborate with other online media platforms and work with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to set standards and code of conducts for their operations, including the accreditation of their members, and the need to educate the general public of their recourse to complain and seek redress where injured, and to ensure prompt retraction of untrue news or stories.
“This is the time for real journalists to take their rightful position. Our nation is in dire need of journalists and media practitioners who are committed and unwavering in their quest to employ their platforms to publish verifiable, objective and balanced news stories that will engender peace and tranquillity in the society, national development and cohesion, and not falsehood and propaganda. The media with particular emphasis on the online and social media must see itself as an integral part of the society, the media needs to serve public interests at all times so as to continue to be relevant as the fourth estate of the realm.”
