Fake news threat to journalism profession-Practitioners

From Mohammed Ibrahim, Kaduna

Participants at a Workshop for media practitioners have described fake news as a threat to journalism profession in Nigeria.
According to them, there is the need for Media Practitioners to adhere to ethical standards of the profession.
This was contained in a statement signed by Chairman and Secretary of the Communique Committee Saxone Akhaine and Emelda Odor Secretary at the workshop organised by Kaduna Refinery and Patrolchemicals Company KRPC held in Kano State.
The forum also recommended mainstream practitioners to take the lead in the narratives in the social media to bridge the gap which encourages fake news.
The communiqué reads in part “ The workshop called on media owners to employ professionals to tame the activities of quacks to avert fake news.
“We as Participants called on Media practitioners to utilize the benefits of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in the discharge of their duties.
“We agreed on the need for training and re-training of journalists for effective and efficient discharge of their responsibilities.
“Participants agreed that the media should take the lead in improving the capacity of citizens to demand for good governance and interrogate policies.
“Participants observed that the Media have a social responsibility to enlighten, hence the need for increased collaboration between KRPC and Stakeholders.
“Participants decried lack of continuity in policies and programmes in the Oil and Gas sector by successive governments.
“The Workshop recommended that Media practitioners should stop portraying Nigeria negatively.
“The Workshop recommended that the regulatory bodies should sanction proponents of fake news.”