Edo Online Media Practitioners Seek Partnership with Environment Ministry, Pledge Professional Journalism
The Edo Online Media Practitioners have reaffirmed their commitment to responsible and professional journalism while seeking stronger collaboration with the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability to better communicate government programmes to the public.
The assurance came during a courtesy visit by members of the association to the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Nosa Adams, in Benin City.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Edith Ebomoyi, welcomed the initiative and stressed the need for ethical journalism built on credibility, balance, and fact-checking.
She urged online media practitioners to take the lead in combating fake news and sanitising the social media space, noting that misinformation continues to undermine public trust and damage reputations.
Ebomoyi observed that the widespread use of smartphones has made it easy for anyone to claim to be a journalist, resulting in the circulation of unverified and misleading reports.
Drawing from her experience as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, she recalled an incident where students fainted during an event. Despite efforts by the Ministry to manage the situation, unverified reports quickly flooded social media, creating unnecessary panic and misinformation.
She also warned that false publications can have devastating consequences, including emotional trauma and, in some cases, the loss of lives, urging media practitioners to always verify facts before publication.
Responding, Chairman of the Edo Online Media Practitioners, Mr. Sam Dada Ayokhai, said the association was at the Ministry to build a productive working relationship that would help showcase government projects, policies, and their impact on the people of Edo State.
He maintained that the association is made up of experienced journalists who uphold professional standards and are committed to accurate, balanced, and responsible reporting.
The assurance came during a courtesy visit by members of the association to the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Nosa Adams, in Benin City.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Edith Ebomoyi, welcomed the initiative and stressed the need for ethical journalism built on credibility, balance, and fact-checking.
She urged online media practitioners to take the lead in combating fake news and sanitising the social media space, noting that misinformation continues to undermine public trust and damage reputations.
Ebomoyi observed that the widespread use of smartphones has made it easy for anyone to claim to be a journalist, resulting in the circulation of unverified and misleading reports.
Drawing from her experience as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, she recalled an incident where students fainted during an event. Despite efforts by the Ministry to manage the situation, unverified reports quickly flooded social media, creating unnecessary panic and misinformation.
She also warned that false publications can have devastating consequences, including emotional trauma and, in some cases, the loss of lives, urging media practitioners to always verify facts before publication.
Responding, Chairman of the Edo Online Media Practitioners, Mr. Sam Dada Ayokhai, said the association was at the Ministry to build a productive working relationship that would help showcase government projects, policies, and their impact on the people of Edo State.
He maintained that the association is made up of experienced journalists who uphold professional standards and are committed to accurate, balanced, and responsible reporting.
