Bishop Urges Journalists To Shun Sensationalism

The Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Most Rev Dr Hillary Okeke, has called on media practitioners to be harbingers of good news, just as Jesus Christ, in the discharge of their duties.

Bishop Hilary Okeke

Okeke gave the charge in his homily at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral on Sunday, during the mass commemorating the World Communication Day.

The bishop, who spoke through the Vicar General of the diocese, Monsignor Patrick Ezeobata, said the media had advanced negativism and sensationalism to the detriment of positivity and objectivity.

He said that just as Christ brought good news of unity and hope, journalists should indulge in all that would advance peace in the society.

Okeke said that information management and dissemination had now gone out of the control of the traditional media because of the advent of social media, making it difficult to regulate.

He, however, appealed to people who had access to platforms used for spreading information to ensure that they monitor what is posted on their medium and adhere to ethics of the profession.

In his remark, the Director of Social Communications in the Diocese, Rev Fr Hyginus Aghaulo, said journalists should not place high premium on bad news so as to make quick money.

Aghaulo said that while it was true that times were hard and many bad things were happening, these must be balanced with the good things that were also happening in the society.

He reiterated the message of Pope Francis on the need to break the cycle of anxiety among the populace, and that the media, both traditional and new, are saddled with the responsibility of protecting and sustaining world peace.

“Traditionally, the press is saddled with the onerous job of informing, educating, and entertaining.

“Information, like we know, is a very powerful weapon in today’s world,” he said.

Chief Martin Uzodike, former Commissioner for Information in Anambra, in a paper titled “Fear Not” stressed the need for media practitioners to do their work fearlessly and without bias or sentiments.