The Nigerian Press Council (NPC) has trained no fewer than 45 journalists from the North Central region and 30 students of the department of communication and media studies from Bingham University.

The executive secretary of NPC, Dili Ezughah, declared the workshop open on Wednesday at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State. 

The workshop with the theme: “Public Trust and Ethical Journalism in the Digital Age” was organised by the NPC in collaboration with XEM Consultant Ltd.

According to Mr Ezughah, stakeholders in the media profession hold the key to public peace, order, national development and entrepreneurship.

He further explained that the advent of new media has brought both revolution to information dissemination as well as challenges in information management.

“The Council was set up to aid practitioners and direct them towards the ethics and direction of responsibility. The need to comply with the Code of Ethics cannot be overemphasised.

“It makes the practice of journalism a profession that creates a peaceful environment for social exchange and ultimately impacts society on social cohesion and development.

“This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s desire for continued free, responsible and accountable journalism practice under his administration.

“At the Press Council, our mandate consists of promoting high professional standards for the Nigerian Press; this, we execute through capacity building such as this workshop,” Mr Ezughah said.

He stressed that the Council’s mandate also included monitoring media content and drawing attention to ethical preaches.

The NPC boss further called on the participants to capitalise on the opportunity to spread knowledge acquired in their workplace and environment.

”Journalism profession has a potent for change, either for good or bad. Do not underestimate the power we have as Journalists.

“So, we encourage you to use the power for the good of all of us, for a stable nation; a nation that is economically viable. We can do this.

“For staff of NPC, be properly guided in your regulatory functions,” Mr Ezughah said.

Also speaking, the national secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Achike Chude, said journalism is a noble profession adding that it is about public trust.

“Democracy depends on journalism. Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution gave the media the power to hold government and government officials accountable for the interest of the entire citizens.

“Therefore, journalists have a role to play, and such role has given them nobility,” Mr Chude said.

A facilitator, Santas Tsegyu, from Nasarawa State University presented a topic titled, “Mass Media as a Mass Educator”.

Also, another facilitator, Samuel Akpe, presented his paper with the topic “Embracing Fact-checking in Journalism towards Embracing Public Trust”, and Samuel Abu delivered a lecture on Ethics of Journalism.

While some of the participants expressed satisfaction, saying it was impactful, others said it was an eye opener. 

(NAN)