The Speaker, Taraba state house of Assembly Dr Joseph Albasu Kunini has charged journalists in the state to adhere to the age long principles of objectivity and constructive criticism in the discharge of their duties as correspondents in the state.
Kunini said this while hosting the correspondents to an end of the year and familiarization dinner in Jalingo.
The Speaker, who noted that “the history of journalism is a history of long struggle for the liberation of humanity through open and free speech” said that the journalists are often the “only voice for the common man and the voice that those in power must listen to”.
He urged the journalists to be dispassionate in carrying out their activities in the state and to remember their social responsibilities to the society that has given them custody of their voice.
Kunini, who is a political science scholar noted that “the role of the press in any given society is indispensable and the journalists are the only vessels through which this all important role can be actualised. In Taraba, we are aware that no government can function without the press and so we hold you in the highest esteem”.
The Chairman, Taraba state chapter Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Jovita Shafe in his remarks thanked the Speaker for hosting the journalists and assured him that they will do their best in upholding the basic principles and ethics of the profession.
Shafe however urged the state government to ensure that information was made easily and readily available for journalists in the course of their works to minimise the room for speculation which often create confusion and tension.
Our correspondent reports that this is the first time a Speaker of the state house of Assembly will host correspondents to a dinner that was attended by members of the state Assembly and other top government functionaries.
