Ahead of the November 8th Anambra governorship election, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, in partnership with Anambra Patriots for Soludo has organized a “One-day Training Workshop for journalists” in the state.
The event hosted by the state Chairman of NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu with the theme; “Ethical journalism & journalists safety in an evolving democracy” was chaired by the Chairman, Anambra Patriots for Soludo, Chief Damian Ejiamatu, and had in attendance the Convener, Anambra Patriots for Soludo and MD, Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, Architect Okey Ezeobi, Secretary, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM; Igwe Pius Omachonu, Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, MD of Anambra Broadcasting Service , Mr Christopher Molokwu.
Speaking on “Role of INEC and fundamental duties of journalists in covering election”, a resource person, Barrister Dr Moses Ugboh, noted that one can’t talk about credible electoral processes without the involvement of journalists.
Another resource person and veteran journalist, Sir Victor Agusiobo, who noted that election is important in convincing people that they are the true owners of power, urged journalists to be diligent in their duties because public opinion their reports generate helps government in serving the people better.
He further noted that the greatest problem a society will have is when public information channels can’t be trusted any longer because of venality of media practitioners.
On his part, Igwe Omachonu, who likened journalists to hunters, urged them not to be afraid in the forest, but to prepare for any danger; for the good of the society.
He recalled that journalism made Nigeria sovereignty a possibility, and charged the practitioners to help clear the doubt in people’s mind over the last general elections which INEC said witnessed “technical glitches”.
Member representing Njikoka Two Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr Jude Akpua, who commended journalists in the state for their services to the society, urged them not to relent, regardless of daunting challenges being encountered.
In his goodwill message, the Managing Director of the ABS, Mr Christopher Molokwu, who described the topic of the day as timely, noted that journalism institution is “the only man standing” for the society, adding that it’s easy to market Soludo’s candidacy because of his good works.
In his remark, the Convener, Anambra Patriots for Soludo, Architect Ezeobi, explained that the event was designed “to strengthen the fiber of journalists’ morale” to tell Ndi Anambra the truth, especially about what Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is doing in the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman, NUJ Local Training Committee, Ukpa Ewa Eke, noted that the workshop was designed to reinforce the core values of journalism – truth, accuracy, fairness, and transparency, while addressing the growing challenges that threaten journalist safety, including physical violence, intimidation, and the rising wave of online harassment, adding that the goal “is to foster a safer, more supportive environment where journalists can carry out their duties without fear or compromise”.
She concluded by noting that “the strength of any democracy lies in a free and responsible press”, saying that promoting ethical journalism and safeguarding the welfare of journalists help to protect journalism profession and defend democratic values “we all cherish”.