The Benue state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Timothy Yangien Ornguga, on Friday urged journalists to intensify efforts to counter fake news and misinformation in the interest of justice and good governance.
Ornguga made the call when the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue state Council, paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi.
He said journalists had a responsibility to verify information before publication and should not allow themselves to be used by politicians or other individuals to disseminate false reports.
The commissioner also urged media practitioners to regularly engage with ministries, departments and agencies to obtain accurate information and properly educate the public on laws and government’s policies.
He called on journalists to report issues such as electoral violence, thuggery, traffic violations, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse, saying the media had an important watchdog role in promoting order in society.
Ornguga said the Ministry of Justice had strengthened its operations through its website, capacity-building for lawyers, provision of office equipment and collaboration with relevant agencies on issues, including sexual and gender-based violence and human trafficking.
On garnishee orders, he explained that valid court judgements could not simply be ignored, but that the Ministry was negotiating paying in instalments with judgement creditors to prevent sudden financial pressure on the government.
He expressed willingness to strengthen collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel, while the Chapel leadership reaffirmed their commitment to professional journalism and responsible coverage of government’s activities.
