Online newspaper editors in Nigeria have been advised to deploy and fully utilize traditional gatekeeping measures before publishing stories and articles, to avoid fake news and misinformation.
Director General of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr (Barrister) Fred Oghenesivbe, gave the advice on Wednesday, while speaking as guest of Bridge FM Radio’s prime time talkshow, the “Bridge Parliament,” saying that the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is yet to borrow a kobo from any bank or financial institution either in Nigeria or anywhere in the world.
He noted that Governor Oborevwori’s vision for Delta through the MORE agenda is unfolding rapidly as can be seen from the ongoing mega roads and other infrastructure projects across the state, assuring that the state government will continue to prudently manage the commonwealth of Deltans to upscale their socioeconomic prosperity, as well as do more in the area of mega infrastructure development.
He disclosed that the N40Billion upfront facility which local government councils secured to pay pensioners is being deducted at source on a monthly basis by the banks from each member of the Association of Local Government Of Nigeria, ALGON, share of federal allocations, and that the state government merely guaranteed the facility as perfectly explained by the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, on Monday.
He said, an online newspaper went ahead to publish the unfounded allegation levelled against the state governor without cross checking facts with relevant government officials, describing the content of the publication as unfortunate, misleading, distasteful, unpatriotic, inappropriate and libelous as enriched in extant media laws, and Journalism ethics.
The Director General noted with displeasure that the reading public is gradually loosing confidence in some of the online newspapers and bloggers due to frequent publication of unfounded allegations, half truth and deliberate misinformation.
He added that it was, and still the responsibility of editors to cross check facts, claims and allegations levelled against individuals, organisations or governments at all levels before giving approval for such materials to be published or disseminated through multifaceted channels and platforms.
“Individuals and organisations are free to send all kinds of press statements or other materials for publication and for broadcast.
“However, it is the assigned responsibility of editors and subeditors as Professional gatekeepers to do their job by way of verifying facts and figures to determine whether or not such materials are credible and factual enough to benefit the reading public,” He said.
Oghenesivbe disclosed that it is not on record in any bank or financial institution in Nigeria or elsewhere in the world that the governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori borrowed a Kobo for any reason whatsoever. It’s a big joke, a black lie and should be disregarded by Deltans and by extension Nigerians.
According to him, the truth, as explained by the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza was exactly what transpired, and the true position of things.
“The Association of Local Government Chairmen agreed to obtain a N40 Billion credit facility to be deducted monthly from their federal allocations within five years, which the state government guaranteed.
“It was not a loan obtained by the State Government. Governor Oborevwori is naturally allergic to accessing loans.
He is aware of the biblical injunction against borrowing, wherein God said expressly that the borrower is a servant to the lender. It’s never a thing of pride to borrow, either money or anything for that matter,” Oghenesivbe said.
