Commissioner tasks NAWoJ on investigative journalism, truth

 

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs 

Idongesit Etiebiet, Akwa Ibom state.

By Freshgist

 

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet has charged female journalists in the state under the aegis of Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists (NAWoJ), to engage more in investigative reporting so as to stand out among their male counterparts.

The Commissioner also urged them to ensure they are fair, balanced and truthful in their reports so as to project the state in progressively.

Etiebet gave the advice on Wednesday when the leadership of NAWOJ led by Comrade Nsikak Okon paid a courtesy call on her ahead of the activities marking their 100 days in office

According to the Commissioner,  "the female journalists should show their male counterparts how to be fair in doing investigative journalism, how not to report what you are not sure of and avoid character assassination  as  we  see on social media.

"Your reports can make or mar the society. If you want to mar the society, it is to report half truth or complete lack of truth. As women, you should do better and you are expected to do like three times better than men to be seen. It is disheartening to see group of people reporting lies as if they are truths, as women let us stand out from that position."

Etiebiet added that Akwa Ibom has been adjudged as the second best in Foreign Direct Investment and urged NAWoJ to maintain the status quo by reporting positively about the state so that prospective investors will not be scared away.

Reacting to the line up programmes of NAWoJ which included boy child advocacy among others, the commissioner disclosed that the state government  is beaming its focus on the improvement and Advancement of the Boy Child whom she said have been neglected for some time adding that analysis carried out in schools showed that the girl child who receives more attention is doing better in academics than the boy child. 

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, NAWOJ, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Okon reeled out the activities to mark the Executive's 100 days in Office to include advocacy for the Boy Child, visits to schools in the three senatorial district to speak to the boy child, visit to the Village heads to sensitize the people on the essence of parents to take good care of their boy child, a one day training for women Journalists on gender based reporting and a thanksgiving service for a successful elections

Comrade Okon solicited the support and partnership of the Commissioner and the Ministry for the line up of events.