The Chief Press Secretary to Imo state government Sir Ogwuike Nwachukwu yesterday admonished Journalists practicing Imo state to shun spreading of fake news which according to him, is worst than corona virus pandemic.
The voice of the Imo state Governor, made this assertion at the one day workshop/ seminar for practicing journalists in Imo state organized by the Onion Newspaper at Rock view hotel.
He further noted, that fake news can not help develop Imo state rather it can only destroy the state. While stressing on the need for them to always verify Their news before publication.
“Journalism is all about education, information and entertainment, if this three functions is lagging in your news than your news is fake” He asserted.
Concluding, he said any journalist found in the act of spreading fake news is not a journalist but an enemy of democracy.
In her welcoming address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Onion Newspaper Lolo Chioma Ogechi expressed her joy over the mass turn out of the Journalist in Imo state to attend the seminar.
Also, the Chairman, planing Committee who also doubles as the Editor of the paper, Dr. Basil Ekweke affirmed that fake news has caused a lot of damage to the society the same way fake journalist in Imo state, have brought so much bad name to the journalism profession.
Making their contributions toward the the topic was an Erudite Professor of law, Former Dean Faculty of law, Imo state University Owerri, Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri and the Director General Imo state orientation agency Dr. Ethelbert Okere and a representative of the Imo state commissioner for Information.
In the same vein, the chairman Imo state Union of Journalist, Chief Chris Akaronyo, advised all to maintain professionalism in the practice of journalism profession.
