World Press Freedom Day: Ogun Assembly Speaker Elemide Tasks Journalists On Objective Reporting
ABEOKUTA – As the world celebrate the 2024 World Press freedom Day, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide has tasked journalists in the State to continue to embrace objectivity and fairness while reporting various activities and programmes of government to the masses.
Elemide gave the charge while playing host to the members of the Consolidated Chapel of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by Comrade Segun Olukoga, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Press Freedom Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by journalists and the tasks they perform to maintain the smooth flow of information.
The theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”.
The Speaker counseled that as the members of the fourth estate of realm, they should always be cautious of the impact of their reports on the overall wellbeing of the people, saying though, Journalists face a lot of risk in carrying out their duties, yet they remained the voice of the people at all times.
He promised to continue to accord them necessary support in all their activities, saying the legislative arm would always be ready to assist them in carrying out their activities.
“I know reporting can be dangerous but as journalist, you are responsible for effective journalism. Objective journalism is the true journalism. As practitioners, you must be objective in the discharge of your journalism assignment.”
“Don’t report what has not been confirmed and when you are writing about the government too, write exactly as it is. Even if you see anything about me the speaker, feel free to report it as long as it’s based on truth”. The Speaker added.
Earlier in his presentation, Comrade Olusegun Olukoga solicited the support of the Assembly in all the Chapel’s activities, while seeking other areas of protection for Journalists through the implementation of relevant legislation.
Olukoga said “Part of the reason for this visit is to seek foster a cordial relationship between the press and the assembly. We want you to always carry us along on your oversight function, with this, the media can always convey the activities of this assembly to the people of the state.
“Also, we are seeking protection for journalists through implementation of laws.”
