Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, has urged media practitioners to adopt objective and critical assessments of government policies, steering clear of propaganda and misleading half-truths.
Dr. Osuoza made this call on Tuesday at a media training session organized by the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) in the conference room of the Ministry of Information, Asaba.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Aliko, Dr. Osuoza emphasized the need for collaborative journalism, urging online publishers to allow ministry officials to provide input on government-related reports. He commended the forum for its efforts in disseminating information about Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's administration while urging continued professionalism.
“Governor Oborevwori’s government appreciates journalism rooted in global best practices,” Dr. Osuoza stated. He cautioned against cut-and-paste journalism, particularly those exploiting artificial intelligence tools for unethical practices.
The commissioner decried the rise of libelous content and the weaponization of journalism to blackmail public figures. He noted that such practices erode trust and urged the leadership of DOPF to sanction members engaging in yellow journalism, propaganda, and unprofessional conduct.
The training, themed
"SEO, AI, and Security in Online News Publishing: A Swiss Knife for Online Publishers," included a session on the use of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and artificial intelligence tools to enhance content clarity and visibility.
Dr. Osuoza described SEO and AI as crucial tools for modern journalism, enabling journalists to reach broader audiences while maintaining quality and integrity. However, he lamented the misuse of these tools to manipulate narratives and misinform the public.
The training was facilitated by Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, publisher of
Quick News Africa, who shared best practices in digital content creation and security strategies.
Dr. Osuoza reiterated his commitment to fostering ethical journalism, urging practitioners to remain society’s watchdogs by promoting factual and responsible reporting.
