Journalists have been challenged to wrestle social media space with charlatans using the platforms to spread fake news and misinformation.
The immediate past General Manager of Nigeria Television Authority, NTA Katsina, Alhaji Ayinde Soaga, disclosed this while speaking on “Journalism in an era of misinformation” at the memorial lecture of the former General Manager of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), Mr. Diji Akinhanmi.
The veteran journalist noted that if professional journalists allow quacks to continually dominate the social media platforms, more harms would be done to the profession and the Society at large.
Alhaji Soaga noted that quacks have hijacked the social media spaces and exploited it to turn out half – baked, unverified and fake news to the detriment of the society and journalism.
He submitted that professional journalists should at this time dominate the social media space with ethically oriented reports in order to stem the tide of misinformation.
Stakeholders who spoke at the memorial lecture described Mr. Diji Akinhanmi, who died a year ago, as a thoroughbred professional, efficient and distinguished journalist.
The President of Abeokuta Club, Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi noted that the late GM touched lives of both the old and the young in journalism profession and beyond.
He advised journalists to emulate the late Akinhanmi’s virtues of responsible journalism practice.
Wale Oluokun
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
