By Christian Njoku
Bishop Emmah Isong, National Publicity Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has disclosed that fake news remained the most dangerous recipe for social tensions in Nigeria and globally.
Isong made the call on Wednesday in Calabar when the new executive and member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River Council paid him a courtesy visit.
The cleric who is the presiding Bishop of the Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) and a patron of the South-South Zone of the NUJ said it behoved on the journalists to properly balance stories and speak truth to power.
Noting that most of the wars that had been fought globally like the Iraqi war was as a result of fake news, he said the media played an important role in given a clear and true picture of things.
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He challenged the media men to cooperate with the new leadership of the Council eschewing tribal differences, small divisive groups and close ranks while pushing for the welfare of members.
“It is important that we look into the welfare and health of journalists because the risk and lack of insurance in the job for many journalists makes it clear that a lot need to be done for newsmen.
“Having good welfare packages for members of the Union gives more prestige to the profession and the more prestigious the profession is, the more people will want to listen to the journalists.
“Also it is important for journalists to synergize despite their political, social and tribal differences and speak with one voice,” he said.
Speaking earlier Mrs Archibong Bassey, Chairman of NUJ, Cross River Council said as a new executive in the state, they had come to the cleric to ask for his blessings and guidance as a patron of the union.
She thanked him for all his support in the past while appealing that he continues to pray for the council for God to grant them divine success in all their endeavours.
“I have come to submit this Union into God’s hands because I desire peace, progress and open doors for my members,” she said.
(NAN)