WARRI – Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has charged journalists to be weary of depending on stories from their colleagues to write their on reports in other not to get the facts twisted.

He stated this while speaking on “2023 Elections and Role of the Media” at the 2022 Press Week Lecture/Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, held at Casa De Pedro Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Area of Delta State.

Uduaghan while commending the media for their role in strengthening democracy in Nigeria, said,

“The media helped in bringing democracy to what it is today. Social Media is much more dangerous than traditional media.

“I want to appeal to journalists to be very diligent in their reportage. I appeal that you try and attend functions as often and not depend on collecting stories from your colleagues.

“We should make our presence felt in most of the places where the events are happening; they should monitor these activities and write a correct report.

“I appeal that you write correct reports so that your reports will not be trashed in courts.

“The state government should pay attention to the media. Let us not ignore the media in any part of the state.

“The media is very active in elections. The media must endeavour to go round the state, monitor electoral activities, get first-hand information and publish the truth.

“Media should function on fairness and balance. If you are writing facts and balancing them, there won’t be much damage to repair.

“Not only have we faced a lot of challenges from the media, but we have also had a lot of support.

“Media houses should endeavour to pay their journalists adequately and substantially,” Uduaghan pleaded.

Uduaghan, who advocated that media practitioners should be well remunerated, said traditional rulers should be given more roles to play in the polity, especially in the area of security.

“By next year, we would have spent 24 years in this democracy. Twenty four years of unbroken democracy.

“Though not many people expected it to come this far, by the grace of God, we are still enjoying it.

“The media has enjoyed more freedom than they did in the military regime.

“You need some form of dictatorship for a nation to develop to some extent. Dictatorship brings discipline.

“Traditional rulers are not playing the significant role they should be playing. Our traditional rulers must practice dictatorship no apologies.

“Traditional rulers should be given more roles to play in the society because if they are, insecurity will reduce.

Dignitaries at the occasion included former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Emmanuel Sideso Abe I, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, HRM King Obukowho Monday Whiskey, Udurhie 1, and the Rector of the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Ogujor, among others.