CHRIATIAN Othuke Iteire, executive chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, has charged the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ to uphold the ethics and the code of conduct of journalism, and clampdown quacks in the noble profession.

 Iteire gave the charge on Friday, July 9, 2021 at the Isoko North Local Government Council Secretariat in Ozoro during a familiarisation visit paid him by the Executive members of the NUJ, Isoko Chapel led by the chairman, Emmanuel Ekebe.

He asserted that, journalists “being the watchdogs of the society and for the people, giving wrong information, means you are misleading the public”.

He called to mind the recently published fake story by Sahara reporters and other online media platforms of him sacking 30 workers upon assumption of office as Council Chairman, of which he has no powers or authority to do so since the power to recruit and relieved workers of their jobs are vested on the Delta State Local Government Service Commission.

This he said, the report was hurriedly done without proper physical investigation and findings by the reporter who relied solely on heresy to tarnish his image and mar the progressive works he is doing in the local government area.

He stated the fact that quack and fake journalists are responsible for blackmail, deceit and widespread of fake news.

Thus, he said “I will appreciate if you try to take away such persons from among your midst, because the credibility of reporting is in what we see. If we read and it is confirmed, it shows there is authenticity. But, when someone reads a story and it is verified as a fake, then it shows it was did to tarnish someone’s image and credibility”.

He urged the professional body of journalists in Isoko to promote the sanctity of fairness and truth in journalism, by “using your platform to disabuse people’s minds from negative reporting that are not confirmed and verified. There is need for investigating reporting, you find out before you tell the public”, this he strongly believes would enthroned developmental journalism in the nation.

The Isoko-North Council Chairman appreciated and commended journalists for their social responsibility as watchdogs in enhancing good governance in the nation, by ensuring responsibility, accountability and probity among all tiers and arms of governments.

Hon Iteire applauded the NUJ Isoko Chapel for promoting the Isoko cause especially through its Isoko Nation Newspaper which has been in existence for five years and the laurels the chapel has garnered in its 11years of being, winning the coveted Best Chapel Award in Delta State on the grounds of ethics, having a functional Secretariat, prompt payment of professional dues, and transparency.

The Isoko North Boss promised to partner and work closely with the Nigerian Union of journalists towards ensuring accountability, transparency, and the delivering of concrete dividends of democracy to the grassroot in Isoko North, and assured of his administration’s strong determination to leave landmark projects in all wards of the local government area, a lasting legacy the people would remember him for.

Top officials present during the NUJ’s visit were the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon David Ejoor Igbuduma, the Head of Personnel Management, Barrister Henry Obukeowho, the Supervisor for Works, Hon Ikrumale Jones Oghogho, the Supervisor for Environment, Hon Alebe Joshua Onos, the Supervisor for Education, Prince Ogbo Enakeno Christopher, the Supervisor for Finance, Surv Irori Samuel, the Supervisor for Agriculture and Community Development, Hon Mark Ekakitie, and the administrative Assistant to the Chairman, Mr Eboh Onome.

– July 10, 2021 @ 09:19 GMT |