By Joy Odor
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to adopt innovative approaches and reorient its members to promote unity, ethical standards, and combat insecurity, particularly in the era of social media.
During a courtesy visit by the NUJ delegation led by its President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, Senator Akpabio emphasized the importance of accurate, balanced, and fair reporting.
The Senate President expressed concern over the spread of misinformation on social media and warned that unchecked social media journalism could fracture society.
He advocated for a shift in mindset, encouraging the press to become partners in Nigeria’s development rather than fighting the government.
Senator Akpabio acknowledged the impact of evolving technology and urged journalists to adapt to the rise of social media while ensuring that breaking news does not break society.
He emphasized the need for the NUJ to work towards curbing indiscipline among journalists who spread false information.
The Senate President congratulated the NUJ on its 70th anniversary and stressed the importance of promoting unity and combating insecurity together.
He assured the union of his presence at the anniversary celebration and expressed his commitment to collaborating with the NUJ to address social media challenges.
Earlier, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, President of the NUJ, emphasized the need for collaboration with the National Assembly to introduce the Media Enhancement Bill, designed to advance journalism and support journalists nationwide.
He also extended an official invitation to Senator Akpabio for the NUJ’s 70th anniversary celebration.
