Diri Tasks Media on Investigative Journalism

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has urged media practitioners in Nigeria not to shirk their responsibility as watchdogs, agenda setters and drivers of development in society.

Diri made the call while declaring open the first ever media summit organised by the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Yenagoa, with the theme, “Media, Culture and Identity: Promoting Indigenous Perspectives”.

Diri, who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, noted that journalists could contribute to development of society by speaking truth to power through effective reportage and investigative journalism.

The Bayelsa Chief Executive, who recalled with enthusiasm the critical role played by nationalists like Herbert Macaulay, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ernest Ikoku, Dele Giwa and others, using journalism to fight for Nigeria’s independence, noted that investigative journalism has since lost its fervency in the country.

The governor identified what he calls “the carry-and-go” brand of journalism where quackery and unethical conduct looms large, as the major bane of contemporary journalism practice in the country.

He, therefore, called on all critical stakeholders to work towards achieving the goal of quality journalism that would not only be authoritative and fearless but also credible and dependable.

Diri, while commending the current leadership of the state council of the NUJ for being innovative, highlighted his administration’s supportive role in the development of journalism in the state, including the building, completion and equipping of the iconic Ernest Ikoli media complex.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Orientation, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, highlighted the vision, developmental strides and programmes of the Assured Prosperity administration to achieve a better Bayelsa.

National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, also noted that narratives shape the perception of reality, stressing that the need for media practitioners to spotlight and preserve the heritage, languages and cultures of the various societies in the country.

Delivering a keynote lecture, a professor of journalism and media studies, Anifiok Udoudo, reminded both government and media practitioners of the great expectations society the people hold about them to develop society.

Dr Beauty Okuboere Niyekpemi of the Department of Economics, Niger Delta University, also delivered a lecture titled, “Blue Economy: Harnessing the Socioeconomic Potentials in Bayelsa.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of the NUJ, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha, said one of the key objectives of the summit was to promote professional accountability in both the conventional mainstream media and the social media.