Avoid malice-based criticism, Governor Abiodun advises media practitioners

The Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on Nigerian journalists to always be conscious of their role as watchdog and essential partners in progress, adding that in the course of their constitutional duties they should avoid malice-based criticism.

Penpushing reports that the Governor gave this advice during interactive session with members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held on Tuesday at Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, the State Capital.

‘As critical stakeholders in the polity of Ogun State and the business of governance, in line with section 22 of the 1999 constitution as amended, your role as watchdog and essential partners in progress can never be overemphasized’, he noted.

Penpushing further reports that Abiodun said he would ensure he keep a very close relationship with the media with constant engagement, adding that one of the core values and fundamental obligation of the media is critical evaluation of governmental policies through constructive criticism and objective assessment

‘I want to commend your consciousness for professionalism, by being objective and patriotic in your reportage with focus of building a strong socioeconomic bridge for our dear state and for the coming generations. Of course, one of the core values and fundamental obligation of the media is critical evaluation of governmental policies through constructive criticism and objective assessment’, he added.

‘As you all know, our state and the country at large are in dire need of systemic media space that is progressive in orientation and developmental in thinking, for the purpose of creating investment-friendly image’, the Governor said.

‘This fundamental principle of journalism as illumination of the society is regrettably defeated if criticism is based on malice, parochial tendency and self-aggrandizement; such is destructive and a disservice to our collective aspirations and desires’, Abiodun stated.

‘To this end, I want to thank you for many of your reports in the past years, which had objectively and constructively assessed our policies and subsequently served as impetus for us to improve on the quality of our democratic deliveries and serve our people better’’, he stressed.

‘However, I want to implore the leadership of the NUJ and heads of various chapels to always try and encourage their members to be always objective and responsible in their reportage as the real conscience of the society that you are, especially those who are working for various online platforms’, Abiodun stated.

Penpushing also reports that the Governor said on his part, the government, shall continue to support the union in all ways possible to ensure media seamlessly deliver its statutory obligations in a media friendly environment and without any form of intimidation whatsoever.

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