The Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Prof. Peter Esuh, has warned journalists and other media practitioners to refrain from portraying Nigerian leaders unfairly in global discourse.
Fielding questions at his office in Uyo during the weekend, Esuh, who is a Professor of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Applied Rhetorics, said such attitude damages the country’s reputation, dignity and credibility.
He therefore called for greater responsibility in news reportage, prioritizing fact-based journalism over sensationalism to safeguard national dignity and professional ethics.
The professor noted that most Nigerians use social media, which is a global platform, to denigrate their leaders, without recourse to the negative consequences.
He said, “I am worried about the way we react to issues as Nigerians. Let me use this opportunity to say that traditional medium of communication has a way of protecting a country.
“Most of our people do not know that the social media are global media. We just think that when we type something on Twitter, it’s only seen here and once we go on Facebook, it is only seen here.
“These are all global media and are ways to which the global village has been actualized.”
The university don also faulted the way some influencers and bloggers reported the recent invitation extended to former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He observed that most of the reports on the issue were not balanced.