Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has advised journalists across the country not to base their stories on sentiments.
Makinde made this disclosure during the opening of the 2021 annual press week organised by the Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), held in Ibadan, on Monday.
Dignitaries present at the event included former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, President-General, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Yemisi Adeaga and Architect Bamidele Samson.
Makinde, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, enjoined journalists to be objective, fair and balanced in their reportage.
He added that journalists should not base their stories on sentiments.
He said, “Be objective, fair and balanced in your reports.
“We are not saying you should be supporting us but report on issues. We shouldn’t report on sentiment.
“We will continue to do our best in repositioning our state for the better”.
He advised journalists to report issues that can promote national development, rather than promoting sectional interests.
“Journalists don’t retire. You must wake up to the challenges of the country. We depend on you for the betterment of Nigeria as the fourth estate of the realm. When Christians are doing an event, you are expected to attend.
“When Muslims are holding their events, you are expected to be there. When Sango and Oya worshippers are doing their event you are expected to be there. Correct it when things are not working out. Write a good report and publish for national development,” he added.
NUJ Chairman in the State, Ademola Babalola in his welcome address, said that his administration will embark on training more journalists to meet the present realities.
“By next year, we are going to be more aggressive on training and retraining of journalists.
“In the last one year, we were able to achieve what we have not achieved many years ago, I mean the journalists’ estate. It is our legacy project and I encourage more members and leaders to subscribe for the land,” he stated.
