Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called on journalists and media practitioners to ensure balanced news coverage and maintain zero tolerance for fake news in the discharge of their duties.
The governor made the call while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, led by its new chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin who led members on a courtesy visit on Thursday in Osogbo.
Governor Adeleke who emphasised the need for professionalism and strict adherence to the ethics of the journalism profession charged media practitioners to serve as champions against election manipulation, particularly as the state prepares for the August 15, 2025 governorship election.
He stressed that credible journalism remains vital to sustaining democracy.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, the media must hold the three arms of government accountable.
“You have a constitutional and moral responsibility to ensure transparency and fairness in governance,”he said.
He congratulated the newly elected Osun NUJ Chairman, Adeyemi Aboderin, on his emergence, describing it as a confirmation of the confidence reposed in him by members of the union.
The governor called on the NUJ to partner with the state government in promoting development and deepening democratic values.
He assured the union that its ideas and initiatives would be given due consideration and implemented where appropriate.
In his remarks, the Osun NUJ Council chairman, Aboderin said the visit had two main purposes: to introduce the newly elected executive members of the council and to appreciate the governor for his administration’s support towards the development of journalists in the state.
He added that the union sought to re-establish and strengthen collaboration between the state government and media professionals to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election is devoid of rancour.
“We have a proposal to that effect,” Aboderin said.
He noted that the union had suggested training programmes and seminars for members ahead of the election to enable them to cover the process wholeheartedly and responsibly.
The NUJ chairman requested that the relationship between the media and the current administration be further strengthened to foster mutual understanding and effective information dissemination.
He also implored the governor to consider the permanent employment of freelance journalists with the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC, urging continued assistance to journalists across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Osun Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, congratulated the new NUJ leadership and appreciated the executives for honouring the government with the visit.
He disclosed that the state government maintained a neutral stance throughout the NUJ election and added that efforts were ongoing to ensure that freelance staff of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation would soon be made permanent employees.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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