Bauchi State Gov. urges Broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and responsible reportage.

By Muslim Lawal

Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has charged Nigerian broadcasters to prioritise verification, accuracy and responsible reporting in the face of rising misinformation and disinformation.

He gave the charge in Bauchi, during the 3rd Annual Conference and the induction of new members of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) held at International Conference Centre, Bauchi with the themed “Responsible Broadcasting in an Election Year: Countering Misinformation, Promoting Peace and Strengthening Democracy.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, said the rapid spread of manipulated content had made credible and responsible broadcasting more important than ever and urged broadcasters to uphold professional ethics by verifying information before dissemination and clearly distinguishing between facts, analysis, commentary and opinion.

He commended the SNB for upholding democratic processes in managing the society’s affairs, particularly through periodic elections and the renewal of its leadership noting that, the conference would also provide an opportunity for members to elect a new Executive Council, describing leadership transition as an important test of the strength and maturity of any institution.

He urged members of the society to use the conference to reflect on their achievements, confront emerging challenges, strengthen professional relationships and chart a responsible course for the future of broadcasting in Nigeria.