Senator Bassey Otu, Governor of Cross River State, has urged journalists to embrace modern technology for better dissemination of information to the public.
The Governor made this remark at the maiden edition of the symposium themed, “Journalism and Crossing the Cyber Crimes and Legal Hurdles,” which was held at Agba Jalingo Foundation for Investigative and Accountability Journalism (AJFIAJ) in Calabar.
The Governor, represented by Beshel Justine, Commissioner for Science and Technology in Cross River State, underscores the critical role technology plays in today’s media landscape.
“In today’s world,” Governor Otu says, “journalism must pave a new way for information dissemination. Journalists must adopt cutting-edge practices to fit into the present technologically-advanced world.”
“In today’s world,” Governor Otu says, “journalism must pave a new way for information dissemination. Journalists must adopt cutting-edge practices to fit into the present technologically-advanced world.”
The symposium highlights the various challenges journalists face in the digital and fast emerging age in the discharge of their duties and the need to embrace innovation in their work.
Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River State, emphasises the importance of accurate dissemination of information as well as the consequences for misinformation. “The rapidity in which the world is changing, even office spaces are changing. I cannot comprehend what the world will look like in the next 10 years, in terms of information communication technology (ICT). But, they are consequences, you must be ready to face the consequences of whatever information we put out there,” he says.
Governor Otu reiterates his administration’s commitment to making information accessible and transparent. According to him “All we do in Cross River State is to make our practices, projects, and programmes public, aligning with the role of journalism.”
He also advises government officials to remain approachable and responsive, and avoid being irritated by public inquiries; otherwise, it undermines their role as servants of the people.
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