Tunde Bakare
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has urged the media to continue to uphold objectivity and balanced reportage of people and events in Nigeria.
While urging them to shun sensationalism, the Speaker called for intentional efforts towards curbing fake news, misinformation, and disinformation.
Speaker Abbas made the call when the management of Leadership Group Limited, publishers of Leadership Newspapers, paid a courtesy call at his office in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Speaker, who noted the newspaper’s commitment to informing and educating Nigerians, saying this empowers citizens to engage meaningfully in national issues.
Speaker Abbas emphasised the critical role of objectivity in media reporting, underscoring the responsibility of Leadership Newspapers to uphold journalistic standards that avoid sensationalism. “This is essential in fostering trust between the public and media institutions,” he stated.
The Speaker expressed concerns regarding the publication of sensational or unverified headlines, especially on issues related to the National Assembly. He warned that such practices may lead to misconceptions about the House’s role and impact, ultimately undermining the democratic process.
Speaker Abbas encouraged Leadership Newspapers to ensure that “all stories concerning the National Assembly and other government institutions are thoroughly verified.”
He emphasised the House’s commitment to transparency and the importance of reporting that reflects this, noting that it is “essential for citizens to fully understand the legislative process and outcomes of policy decisions.”
While encouraging the newspaper to prioritise reporting that is “comprehensive and educational for the public’s benefit,” the Speaker noted that both the Legislature and the media are fundamental to national development.
Speaker Abbas, therefore, urged Leadership Newspapers to “continue upholding the public trust, avoiding content that may compromise the integrity of democratic institutions or national development efforts.”
Earlier, the Vice Chairman of the Leadership Newspapers Group Limited, Chief Mike Okpere, noted that the visit was to seek partnership with the House on some activities.
Chief Okpere disclosed that the organisation trained 100 persons in various vocations, in partnership with the Nasarawa State Government, with the expectation that they would engage four persons each, leading to 500 being pulled out of poverty.
He presented an economic/empowerment plan to the Speaker, seeking a partnership with the House under his leadership.
“The House of Representatives is under-reported,” he said while seeking a media partnership with the House.