By Latimore Oghenesivbe
Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has again appealed to practising Journalists in the state to maintain objectivity in news gathering and information dissemination by presenting the facts the way they are, saying that as members of the fourth estate of the realm they play significant roles in nation building.
The governor made the appeal on Wednesday when he received the new executive members of Delta State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at the Exco Chambers in Asaba, the state capital.
He said objective reporting is meant to portray issues and events in a neutral and unbiased manner, regardless of the writer’s opinion or personal beliefs, pointing out that as watchdogs of society, critical stakeholders and partners in governance, Journalists must of a necessity display high ethical standards and with good conscience.
Governor Oborevwori noted that examples abound where some news reporters deliberately report one side of the story by either ignoring the facts presented by the other party or presenting those facts in an undesirable way, saying that his administration is willing and ready to partner with the state NUJ to raise the standard of news reports without interfering in their constitutionally assigned responsibilities.
The governor disclosed that he intentionally decided to be neutral in the just concluded Delta NUJ electioneering process by instructing his Chief Press Secretary and Senior Media Aides to stay away from the internal politics of the Union, and expressed delight over the peaceful conduct of the election, as well as smooth transmission of power from the former Chairman, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu to the present, Comrade Churchill Oyowe.
He urged the Union leadership in the state to objectively project the policies, programmes and achievements of his administration, saying that the enviable performances recorded so far in the state since May 29, this year, had earned the trust of the people and that government will continue to deliver quality projects in the area of mega infrastructure, social welfare, wealth and job creation, among others.
“I am happy that your election was peaceful and without rancour. Congratulations to members of the new Exco led by Comrade Churchill Oyowe.
“I insisted that government must be neutral in the electioneering process. I drummed it into the ears of my CPS and other Senior Media Aides, that of no account should they involve themselves in the NUJ electioneering process. Thank God, it went all.
“My administration will continue to partner positively with the press to enhance high ethical standards, because as members of the fourth estate of the realm you must be upright and unbiased in your reportage. Go with the facts, report the facts. You are all critical stakeholders and partners in good governance.
“Every administration has its own style, and my style is to be people-friendly, because I am governor for all Deltans, irrespective of political divide.
“Election has come and gone, and we are already implementing the MORE agenda, as can be seen from the recent flag off of the N78 billion flyovers road projects. We commissioned some projects and regularly inspecting other ongoing projects across the three senatorial districts.
“The state government and NUJ shall continue to be partners in progress, and my administration will always be part of your programmes and activities. The requests you made are well noted and we shall address them one after the other.
“I can assure you here and now that both Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General of the State, and Commissioner for Information, shall be appointed very soon,” Governor Oborevwori said.
Earlier, the Chairman of Delta NUJ, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, told the governor that their visit was to formally introduce members of the new Exco to him, and at the same time presented some pressing needs of the union.
Oyowe appreciated Governor Oborevwori for the positive steps taken so far, especially by initiating various projects that would impact positively on the well-being of people, occasioned by his strong determination to Advance Delta, and to further showcase the state in multifaceted ways.
He urged the governor to consider the urgent need to appoint a Commissioner for Information for the state Ministry of Information, noting that the way things are today, Journalists in the state are like sheep without a Shepherd because the Commissioner for Information is the rallying point for all reporters and correspondents working in the state.
“We are here to formally introduce members of our new executive to you, and to also assure your administration of the union’s willingness to sustain high ethical standards. However, we need government support in diverse ways to enable us to function more effectively.
“We hope that you will go through our requests and consider them, especially the urgent need to appoint a Commissioner for Information. This is very important.
“We shall continue to partner with your administration while maintaining independence in the discharge of our responsibilities,” Oyowe said.
