IBADAN– Penpushing Media founder, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji has called on upcoming journalists to jettison all quick fix to acquire wealth in their practice of journalism, adding that such is not a parameter to success.
The former Zonal Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) made this known while delivery a lecture at the maiden edition of the annual lecture of Association of Mass Communications Students (AMACOS) of KolaDaisi University, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
He pointed out that passion and thorough dedication for the profession will make the younger generation of journalists attain greater heights, while advising them to avoid anything that will endanger their credibility in the profession
Speaking on the topic, “Fake News and Journalism: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward” Dimeji called on practitioners to do away with fake news to avoid loss of credibility, recalling that fake news was responsible for 1963 civil war in Nigeria.
“A responsible journalist must always avoid disseminating falsehood, which is better described as ‘pregnancy stage’ of fake news, and in most cases ‘brought in dead.
“fake news can cripple the nation and may cause unending war. It can also damaged the reputation of a person or an entity”, he added
He however lamented the use of social media which he claimed has also contributed to the spread of fake news in the society because there are many anonymously-hosted fake news websites which have made it difficult to identify and prosecute those behind the sources of fake news for libel.
“However, a practicing journalist with passion for the profession should be cautious and mindful on the need to grow a thick skin, because the unfortunate truth is that there are a lot of forces working against professional journalists, including long hours and a job that often seems thankless. And that is only the beginning.
“Clearly, we need effective self-regulation and legally-enforced regulation of social media and web search engines are needed. The information space needs to be flooded with accurate news to displace fake news. Individuals need to actively confront false narratives when spotted, as well as take care when sharing information via social media.
“But, I can tell you that multiple strategies for fighting fake news are currently being actively researched, and need to be tailored to individual’s types of fake news”, he stated.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Yetunde Alagbe stated that students needs to focus on their area of specialization in journalism, saying that their passion towards the profession will makes them to succeed.
“A lot of things is associated with journalism, you have to decide on your area of specialization, you need to think well and decide wisely, you need to understand the passion you have for journalism and this will help you a lot in achieving your dream”, she added
Meanwhile, the guest lecturer used the occasion to present a book titled, Battlelines’ Adventures in Journalism and Politics’, authored by Chief Olusegun Osoba, a foremost veteran journalist to the Mass Communications Department of the Institution.
