Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor has charged journalists in the South East to embrace responsible and ethical journalism as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Mefor gave the charge at the Capacity Building for Journalists in Southeast, organised by the Nigerian Press Council, themed, “From Inflammatory Rhetoric to National Cohesion: Redefining Mass Communication Practice in the Age of Electoral Conflict.”
He described the timing as apt, noting that elections are barely two months away and journalists must not drop the ball.
He cautioned against sensationalisation, explaining that choice of words can inflame passions.
“When you say people died, it is different from saying people were massacred. In both cases, people died, but that word ‘massacred’ is what we mean by sensationalising. You are nuancing the report to elicit certain feelings.
“Reporting facts without inflaming passion is the hallmark of responsible journalism, while reports that elicit discord and destruction of unity have failed the professional test, even if factual,” he stressed.
While drawing attention to the Cybercrime Act, Mefor warned that a single social media post could cost a journalist his freedom.
He also warned against premature release of election results while voting is ongoing, noting that such actions confuse the public and undermine the electoral umpire.
He further stressed that journalists need a peaceful country to practise, adding that there is a direct correlation between responsible practice and a peaceful environment.
“We need a state, we need a country to be able to practise. If you report and we lose our state and lose our country, we can’t practise in Sambisa Forest,” he said.
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