…Urges Online Newspaper editors to activate gatekeeping antenna
Online newspaper editors in Nigeria have been advised to deploy and fully utilize traditional gatekeeping measures before publishing stories and articles, to avoid fake news and misinformation.
Director General of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr (Barrister) Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, gave the advise on Wednesday, while speaking as guest of Bridge FM Radio’s prime time talkshow, the “Bridge Parliament,” saying that the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is yet to borrow a kobo from any bank or financial institution either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
He noted that governor Oborevwori’s vision for Delta through the MORE agenda is unfolding rapidly as can be seen from the ongoing mega roads and other infrastructure projects across the state, assuring that the state government will continue to prudently manage the commonwealth of Deltans to upscale their socioeconomic prosperity, as well as do more in the area of mega infrastructure development.
He disclosed that the N40Billion upfront facility which local government councils secured to pay pensioners is being deducted at source on a monthly basis by the banks from each member of the Association of Local Government Of Nigeria, ALGON, share of federal allocations, and that the state government merely guaranteed the facility as perfectly explained by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, on Monday.
He said an online newspaper went ahead to publish the unfounded allegation levelled against the state governor without cross checking facts with relevant government officials, describing the content of the publication as unfortunate, misleading, distasteful, unpatriotic, inappropriate and libelous as enriched in extant media laws, and Journalism ethics.
The Director General of the state Orientation and Communications Bureau noted with displeasure that the reading public is gradually loosing confidence in some of the online newspapers and bloggers due to frequent publication of unfounded allegations, half truth and deliberate misinformation, adding that it was and still the responsibility of editors to cross check facts, claims and allegations levelled against individuals, organisations or governments at all levels before giving approval for such materials to be published or disseminated through multifaceted channels and platforms.
“Individuals and organisations are free to send all kinds of press statements or other materials for publication and for broadcast.
“However, it is the assigned responsibility of editors and subeditors as Professional gatekeepers to do their job by way of verifying facts and figures to determine whether or not such materials are credible and factual enough to benefit the reading public.
“It is not on record in any bank or financial institution in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world that the governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori borrowed a Kobo for any reasons whatsoever. It’s a big joke, a black lie and should be disregarded by Deltans and by extension Nigerians.
“The truth as explained by the State Honourable Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza was exactly what transpired, and the true position of things. The Association of Local Government Chairmen agreed to obtain a N40 Billion credit facility to be deducted monthly from their federal allocations within five years, which the state government guaranteed.
*It was not a loan obtained by the State Government. Governor Oborevwori is naturally allergic to accessing loans. He is aware of the biblical injunction against borrowing, wherein God said expressly that the borrower is a servant to the lender. It’s never a thing of pride to borrow, either money or anything for that matter,” Oghenesivbe said.
And on Delta State at 33; Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe said Deltans as a people are proud of the remarkable achievements made since 1999, and will continue to have good stories to tell about their state.
He was full of praises for past military administrators and governors for their substantial and visible contributions to the development of the state, and assured that governor Oborevwori’s eight years tenure which terminates on May 29, 2031 by the grace of God, shall Advance Delta, and that his legacies shall be monumental and difficult for his successors to surpass.
Oghenesivbe commended the visionary leadership of governor Oborevwori, his passion to consistently upscale socioeconomic and infrastructure development, advancement of the educational sector, sports and tourism development, improvement on agriculture, accessible quality health care, partnership for economic growth and industrialization, and many more as encapsulated in the MORE Agenda currently undergoing rapid implementation.
