By Our Reporter
A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Damian Anyaoha, on Monday charged journalists in the country not to entertain fears in performing their lawful duties of reporting the truth.
Anyaoha made the call at the annual thanksgiving service organised by the Abia Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Umuahia.
He said that by reporting the truth without fears, journalists would effectively cleanse society of numerous ills and wrongdoings.
Anyaoha, who is the Assistant Parish Priest, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Afaraukwu, Umuahia, urged journalists to see their jobs as service to humanity.
“This is the reason you must stand by the truth in your reportage. Always see your job as a service ordained by God.
“You are to enthrone a positive change in society.
“As journalists, we are leaders, people learn from us, so we must stand by the truth.
“We must be careful with the use of power in our pen. We must be faithful in our assignment to correct the ills in society,” the cleric said.
In a remark, Mr. John Emejor, the NUJ Chairman, said it was an annual ritual for journalists in the state to dedicate themselves to God at the beginning of every year.
“We thank God for His goodness and mercies upon us. We can do nothing without Him, so we must depend on God for sustenance at all times,” Emejor said.
He urged journalists in the state to discharge their duties with utmost diligence and commitment to truth.
He further urged media employers in the state to pay more attention to workers’ welfare in order to ensure greater productivity.
Meanwhile, the event was attended by the former NUJ National President, Mr. Bonnie Iwuoha, and other veteran journalists in the state.
(NAN)
